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Personality development, problem solving, and behavior problems among preschool children with early histories of
1Department of Psychiatry, Case Western University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio.
Insights
Preschool children with nonorganic failure-to-thrive (NOFT) show deficits in problem-solving and personality development. These early challenges may impact their future social-emotional growth and learning.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Nonorganic failure-to-thrive (NOFT) is a condition affecting child development.
- Understanding the long-term impacts of NOFT on cognitive and emotional development is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare problem-solving and personality development in preschool children with and without histories of NOFT.
- To identify potential socioemotional and learning challenges associated with early NOFT.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study comparing 48 preschool children with NOFT histories to 47 healthy controls.
- Utilized structured measures for problem-solving, ego control, and ego resiliency.
- Included parent-reported behavioral symptoms and home observations.
Main Results:
- NOFT children exhibited deficits in behavioral organization, ego control, and ego resiliency on structured measures.
- Parents reported more behavioral symptoms in children with NOFT histories.
- Home observations did not differentiate ego control or resiliency between groups.
Conclusions:
- Early nonorganic failure-to-thrive is associated with significant deficits in problem-solving and personality development.
- These early deficits may negatively influence future socioemotional development and academic learning.
- Further research is needed to support interventions for children with NOFT.
Abstract:
Using a prospective study design, 48 preschool children with early histories of nonorganic failure-to-thrive (NOFT) and 47 physically healthy children of comparable age, sex, birth order, and family demographics were compared on measures of problem solving and personality development (ego control and ego resiliency). In responding to structured measures, NOFT children demonstrated deficits in behavioral organization, ego control, and ego resiliency compared with controls. Parents also identified higher levels of behavioral symptoms in children with early histories of NOFT compared with controls. However, home observational measures of ego control and ego resiliency did not differentiate the two groups. Deficiencies in problem solving and personality development and increased levels of behavioral symptoms in preschool children with early histories of NOFT may affect their future socioemotional development and learning.