Social Judgments by Children of Short Stature

Abstract

Recent psychiatric literature suggests that short stature in childhood may be associated with poor social judgment and a lack of adaptive competitiveness. In the present study these personal characteristics were evaluated for short children using the Picture Arrangement subtest from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R). The test was administered either under experimental-competitive or standard conditions to 31 short male children and to 29 age-matched boys of normal stature. Significant differences in mean scaled scores were found between the short and normal groups. Increased scores under the competitive condition were observed for both groups. In contrast to previous reports, these results suggest that short children respond positively to competitive tasks. The findings are discussed in terms of emphasizing coping mechanisms of short children.

Psychological Impact of Significantly Short Stature

“…Studies investigating social competence among significantly short children have focused on coping with the physical environment, interaction and competition with peers, and level of participation in age-appropriate activities. Several studies report marked immaturity and inefficient problem-solving skills, a lack of assertiveness and social awareness, and delays in psychosexual development compared with age-peers (5,16,17). Other studies reveal a significant decline in social functioning with age, especially for those with the greatest height deficiency, such as children with isolated GHD and Turner's syndrome (5,18).…”

Growth Hormone Insufficiency During Childhood has Implications for Later Life

“…Strangers, family and friends who fail to detect the individual's true age and level of maturity respond to individuals with endocrine impairment as though they were younger, Jess mature and Jess socially competent than they may actually be (12). From repeated interactions of this type, such a person gradually evolves a body image or self-concept that is immature, unsatisfactory, and developmentally inappropriate (13). Numerous studies have documented the personality and behavioural problems of growth-impaired children with a range of diagnoses, including isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD), hypopituitarism and constitutional delay of growth and adolescence (2-4, 9, 14, 15).…”

Growth Hormone Treatment in Adults with Childhood Onset Growth Hormone Deficiency: Effects on Psychological Capabilities

“…These children experience low self-esteem, infantile social behaviour, body image disturbances and a high degree of social isolation [1][2][3][4], The poor social out come of children with GHD might be positively in fluenced by long-term psychosocial counselling started at the time of diagnosis as part of the therapeutic approach [5,6], Nevertheless, a large number of adults with GHD (in particular those who have remained 'shorter' than nor mals) frequently face a persistent disability that may nega tively affect their adult psychosocial development [7][8][9][10]. Up to now, the administration of GH has been strictly reserved for children with GHD and is discontinued once skeletal growth is complete.…”