Parent attitudes and child personality traits in hemophilia: a six-year longitudinal study.
Using standardized instruments, personality traits of twenty-two hemophilic boys and child-rearing attitudes and practices of their parents were evaluated at the beginning and end of a six-year period, during which psychosocial services were provided in a comprehensive care hemophilia program. The children changed significantly in a positive direction on two traits, enthusiasm and self-reliance. No significant negative personality trait changes were found. Scores remained within the normal range on the remaining traits, with the exception of a significant positive elevation on the intelligence dimension at both pre- and posttest. Mothers and fathers scored positively compared with parental attitude norms during both the initial and follow-up evaluations, without significant changes in overall mean scores. Strong relationships were revealed between individual changes in child personality and parent attitude scores. Despite the fact that between pre- and posttest boys with hemophilia and their parents became aware of the risk of contracting AIDS from blood product use, personality traits and parent child-rearing attitudes remained positive.
Mayes
S D
SD
Hemophilia Center of Central Pennsylvania Department of Psychiatry, Hershey.
Handford
H A
HA
Kowalski
C
C
Schaefer
J H
JH
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002668:Child Rearing; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010553:Personality Development; D010556:Personality Tests; D012307:Risk Factors