title: Social abilities and gender roles in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome - a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clinical and hormonal features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which may be present already in adolescence, can significantly influence the psychological development and wellbeing of a young woman.The aim of this pilot study was to determine social competence and gender roles in adolescent girls with PCOS compared to healthy peers, and to evaluate the relationship between psychological profile and clinical and hormonal components of PCOS.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 28 adolescent girls with PCOS, and 12 healthy regularly menstruating girls, clinical evaluation and hormonal profile were assessed and social competence inventory (SCI) and psychological gender inventory (PGI) tests were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in all parts of SCI in absolute numbers or in sten scores between the study and the control group. Also in PGI, in both the feminine and masculine gender schemes, the differences between the groups were statistically insignificant. In the study group, DHEAS concentration correlated positively with self presentation score (r = 0.4, p = 0.03). There was also a significant negative correlation between testosterone level and SCI score (r = -0.5, p = 0.01) as well as assertiveness score (r = -0.5, p = 0.02). No significant correlations between SCI or PGI with BMI z-score or hirsutism score were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the existence of clinical and biochemical features that can influence sociopsychological condition, in adolescent girls with PCOS, social abilities and sex-typical behaviours do not seem to be disturbed.
authors: Department of Paediatrics, Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland. azachurzok@sum.edu.pl.
authors: Agnieszka
authors: A
authors: Zachurzok
authors: Aneta
authors: A
authors: Gawlik
authors: Aleksandra
authors: A
authors: Nowak
authors: Agnieszka
authors: A
authors: Drosdzol-Cop
authors: Ewa
authors: E
authors: Małecka-Tendera
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012938:Social Perception; D066107:Social Skills