Personality profiles of physically impaired adolescents

✍ Scribed by Dennis C. Harper; Lynn C. Richman

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1978
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 473 KB
• Volume: 34
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0021-9762
• DOI: 10.1002/1097-4679(197807)34:3<636::aid-jclp2270340311>3.0.co;2-y

✦ Synopsis

Investigated MMPI rofiles between two groups of adolescents with dissimilar disabilities (ckft lip/palate, ortho edic) who displayed observable physical impaiiment. The findings support t l e contention that type of disabilit has differential effects on adolescent personality characteristics. However, t t profile elevations are consistent with previous reports of behavioral inhibition in both disability groups. Adolescents with impairments of the cleft lip/palate display greater self-concern and ruminative self-doubt over interpersonal interactions. The orthopedically impaired group exhibit an isolative and passive orientation to interpersonal interaetions, &s well as more generalized feelings of alienation.

The study of the effects of physical disability on personality development raises a question with regard to the relative influence of type of disability vs. the fact of disability. A review of the literature reveals that there are minimal data to support disability-specific personality types Schonta, 1975). Furthermore, there is evidence that individuals with observable physical differences display similar behavioral responses Barker, Wright, Meyerson, & Gonick, 1953; Meyerson, , 1955;; Wright, 1960 Wright, , 1964)). These studies support the contention that the fact of impairment rather than type is more of significance when one is examining impact on social behavioral patterns.