Superkids: competent children of psychotic mothers.

Full Abstract

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.

Author information

Author/s: Kauffman, C (C); Grunebaum, H (H); Cohler, B (B); Gamer, E (E);

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Case Reports; Journal Article

Journal: The American journal of psychiatry (Am J Psychiatry), published in UNITED STATES. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1979-Nov; vol 136 (issue 11) : pp 1398-1402

Dates: Created 1979/12/27; Completed 1979/12/27; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 495790, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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