Psychosocial aspects of constitutional short stature: Social competence, behavior problems, self-esteem, and family functioning

Gordon, Michael S.; Crouthamel, Carol; Post, Ernest M.; Richman, Robert A.

doi:10.1016/s0022-3476(82)80093-0

Cited by 106 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…It has even been suggested that the benefits of advancing puberty might outweigh the potential risk of attenuated adult height (27). The evidence, however, is inconclusive (28)(29)(30)(31).…”

Section: Ss In the Pediatric Clinicmentioning

confidence: 99%

The psychological burden of short stature: evidence against

Voss

Sandberg

2004

European Journal of Endocrinology

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Short stature, per se, is clearly not a disease, but is commonly perceived to be associated with social and psychological disadvantage. The assumption, widely held by pediatricians that short children are likely to be significantly affected by their stature, has been founded largely on older, poorly designed clinic-based studies and laboratory investigations of beliefs about the association between stature and individual characteristics. In contrast, data from more recent and better designed clinic-and community-based studies show that, in terms of psychosocial functioning, individuals with short stature are largely indistinguishable from their peers, whether in childhood, adolescence or adulthood. Parents and children alike should be reassured by these findings. In the absence of clear pathology, physical or psychological, GH therapy for the short but otherwise normal child raises ethical concerns about so-called 'cosmetic endocrinology'. European Journal of Endocrinology 151 S29-S33

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Section: Ss In the Pediatric Clinicmentioning

confidence: 99%

The psychological burden of short stature: evidence against

Voss

Sandberg

2004

European Journal of Endocrinology

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“…3 Previous studies reported that short children have higher rates of behavioral difficulties and lower social competency, compared with children of normal stature. [4][5][6] However, interpretation of those studies was limited by several factors. Some studies included children with growth hormone (GH) deficiency or other syndromes, which made it unclear whether the underlying pathologic condition or short stature are responsible for the difficulties in psychosocial adjustment.…”

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confidence: 99%

Short Stature in a Population-Based Cohort: Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Functioning

et al. 2009

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WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT:There is a paucity of data regarding potential differences in behavioral and social functioning for children of moderately short stature (height of Ͻ10th percentile). WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:This study found that short children did not differ from their nonshort peers in a range of social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes, which suggests that there is little, if any, association between short stature and social, emotional, or behavioral difficulties. abstract OBJECTIVE: The goal was to determine whether there were significant differences between children of normative versus short stature in behavioral functioning and peer relationships, according to teacher and child reports. METHODS:The study included 712 boys and girls in the sixth grade, from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development. Main outcome measures included Achenbach Teacher's Report Form internalizing, externalizing, and total scores; Children's Depression Inventory scores (child report); Life Orientation Test-Revised scores (child report); Child Behavior with Peers questionnaire asocial with peers, excluded by peers, and peer victimization subscale scores (teacher report); peer social support and victimization scores (child report); and relationships with peers score (teacher report). In bivariate comparisons, these outcomes were compared for children of relatively short (height of Ͻ10th percentile) versus nonshort (height of Ն10th percentile) stature, and effect sizes were calculated. Multivariate linear regression models adjusted for maternal education, income/needs ratio, race, and gender. RESULTS:Effect sizes ranged from 0.00 to 0.35. Short children reported marginally higher levels of self-perceived peer victimization, compared with their nonshort peers. There were no significant differences in the rest of the outcomes for children of short versus nonshort stature, in either unadjusted or adjusted models. CONCLUSION:Although short children from a population-based sample reported marginally higher levels of self-perceived peer victimization, they did not differ from their nonshort peers in a range of social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes. Pediatrics 2009;124:903-910

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“…SS is commonly associated with delayed puberty and Gordon et al were the first to propose that the psychological benefits of accelerating height velocity might outweigh any reduction in final adult height (39). There is no evidence, however, to support this.…”

Section: Short Stature In the Paediatric Clinicmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is short stature a problem? The psychological view

Voss

2006

eur j endocrinol

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The use of GH in short normal children remains a controversial issue as physicians and parents alike are under continuing pressure to identify and to treat such children. Before asking who might respond to growth-promoting therapy, we should first ask who needs it. Rational intervention assumes some abnormality, physical or psychological, that can be corrected. Where short stature is the result of GH deficiency, the case for intervention is clear and uncontroversial. Where there is no clear deficiency, treatment can be regarded neither as replacement therapy, nor as corrective, but simply cosmetic. However, there might be a case for therapy if there were clear evidence of an association between short stature and psychosocial dysfunction. The common perception that short stature is an inevitable handicap has been founded on unreliable evidence, largely clinic-based studies, where children experiencing the greatest difficulties are likely to be found. Such reports, unless challenged, can only lead to an increasing demand for treatment, both from and for those who were previously unconcerned. The Wessex Growth Study recruited an unselected cohort of short normal children, not from the clinic, but from the community at large, and has challenged the widely held belief that short stature is an inevitable disadvantage. The progress of these children, followed over some 13 years, has given little cause for concern. Indeed, this study, and others subsequently, has demonstrated the normality of the psychosocial functioning of the short normal child. European Journal of Endocrinology 155 S39-S45

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Psychosocial aspects of constitutional short stature: Social competence, behavior problems, self-esteem, and family functioning

Cited by 106 publications

References 7 publications

The psychological burden of short stature: evidence against

The psychological burden of short stature: evidence against

Short Stature in a Population-Based Cohort: Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Functioning

Is short stature a problem? The psychological view

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