Superkids: competent children of psychotic mothers.
In a follow-up study of children of psychotic mothers, the authors examined a subgroup of outstandingly talented, colorful, and competent "high-risk" children. These children and their mothers were given a variety of psychological tests and were interviewed individually. They were then compared with a control group of children whose mothers had no psychiatric illness. The 6 most socially and intellectually competent high-risk children were strikingly more competent, colorful, creative, and talented than the 6 highest functioning control children. They more often reported having a best friend and had extensive and positive contact with an extrafamilial adult. Another important variable in the prediction of high social competence among children at high risk is a warm relationship with the mother.
D000293:Adolescent; D000341:Affective Disorders, Psychotic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D001076:Aptitude; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D003405:Creativity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment; D014888:Wechsler Scales