Abstract

Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) is one of the most common genetic, congenital diseases to date. The clinical symptoms of patients with VCFS have included up to 180 medical and psychological features, such as velopharyngeal insufficiency, cleft palate, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, cognitive limitations, and behavioral or speech or language difficulties. The purpose of this study was to examine early personality patterns associated with VCFS, and to identify whether variables, including maternal personality, parent-child interaction, and family environment, moderated the relationship between children's personality and behavior. The Hierarchical Personality Inventory for Children (HiPlC), NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFl), Parenting Stress Index (PSl), Family Environment Scale (FES), and Behavioral Assessment System for Children, were completed by 34 maternal caregivers of children with VCFS, children with cleft palate and/or cleft lip and palate (CP/CLP), and children with no known medical conditions (NMC). Multiple regression and ANOVA's were used to analyze the data. Findings from this study suggested that children with VCFS exhibit similar personality patterns when compared to children in other groups. Specifically, VCFS is associated with average levels of Emotional Stability, Extraversion, Benevolence, and Conscientiousness. However, children with VCFS demonstrated lower levels of Imagination when compared to other groups of children. Further, a larger percentage of children with VCFS obtained high scores on the Emotional Stability domain and low scores on the Extraversion, Imagination, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness domains in comparison to other children. Maternal caregivers in the VCFS group exhibited average levels of personality traits (Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness) in comparison to caregivers in other groups. However, a larger percentage of caregivers in the VCFS group obtained high scores on the Neuroticism and Extraversion domains. VCFS dyads obtained significantly different and clinically elevated scores on the Parent- Child Dysfimctional Interaction domain in comparison to dyads in other groups. No statistically significant differences between groups in terms of Family Conflict and Family Cohesion emerged. However, a larger percentage of caregivers in the VCFS group reported high levels of Family Conflict in comparison to caregivers in other groups. Maternal Neuroticism and Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction influenced the relationship between children's Emotional Stability and Behavioral Symptoms.

LLU Discipline

Psychology

Department

Psychology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Kiti Freier

Second Advisor

Leslie Martin

Third Advisor

Matt Riggs

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Level

M.A.

Year Degree Awarded

2005

Date (Title Page)

3-2005

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Developmental Disabilities -- genetics; Child Behavior Disorders -- genetics; Mental Disorder -- genetics; Phenotype

Type

Thesis

Page Count

viii; 120

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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Included in

Psychology Commons

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