PERSONALITY-CHARACTERISTICS AND BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS IN INDIVIDUALS OF DIFFERENT AGES WITH WILLIAMS-SYNDROME

To study personality characteristics and behaviour problems in differe nt age groups more precisely, the parents of 105 children with William s syndrome (WS) were asked to complete a questionnaire with a list of 25 personality adjectives and 18 behaviour disturbances. Three age gro ups-children under 10 years, adolescents between 10 and 20 years, and adults over 20 years of age-were compared. Adults with WS were describ ed as being less lively, determined, active, restless, tearful, quarre lsome, impertinent, and over-friendly in comparison with children with WS. Additionally, adolescents and adults were assessed as being bette r balanced and more withdrawn than children with WS. Females were foun d to be less cheerful and happy as well as more tearful and quarrelsom e than males, but these results showed only a statistical tendency. A discriminant analysis was performed to prove whether the three age gro ups could be discriminated on the basis of personality aspects. The re sults showed correct classification to one of the three age groups in 86% of the individuals with WS. The most discriminating adjectives wer e active, lively, well balanced, withdrawn, being over-friendly, and v igorous. No differences regarding age or sex were found after calculat ing a composite score of behaviour problems reported in each individua l. However, a comparison of single behaviour problems showed a decreas e in external aggressive behaviours and greater depressive symptoms wi th increasing age.