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Published on: August 13, 2015
The relationship between temperament, gender, and childhood dysfunctional voiding
Marc Colaco1, Roseanne D Dobkin, Matthew Sterling
1Department of Urology, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. colacoma@umdnj.edu
Insights
Childhood temperament influences dysfunctional voiding (DV). Lower effortful control in boys and higher surgency in girls with DV suggest temperament may play a role in this common pediatric issue.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric urology
- Developmental psychology
- Child behavior
Background:
- Dysfunctional voiding (DV) is a frequent pediatric concern.
- Understanding factors contributing to DV is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between childhood temperament and dysfunctional voiding (DV).
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 50 children.
- Caregiver-reported temperament assessed using the Children's Behavior Questionnaire.
- Evaluation of temperament dimensions: surgency, negative affect, and effortful control.
Main Results:
- Boys with DV exhibited significantly lower effortful control compared to controls.
- Girls with DV showed higher surgency but no significant difference in effortful control.
- Temperament dimensions were evaluated in relation to voiding behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Temperament appears to be associated with dysfunctional voiding (DV).
- Findings align with temperamental links to other externalizing behaviors.
- These insights may guide future treatment strategies for pediatric DV.
Objective:
Dysfunctional voiding (DV) is an extremely common pediatric complaint. The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between DV and childhood temperament.
Methods:
Information about the voiding behaviors and temperaments of 50 children was examined using a case-control model. Caregivers were asked to fill out the Children's Behavior Questionnaire in order to rate their child on the dimensions of surgency, negative affect, and effortful control. The relationship between DV and these dimensions was then evaluated.
Results:
Males with DV were found to have lower effortful control than males with normal voiding habits. Females with DV did not demonstrate a difference in effortful control, but did demonstrate a higher rate of surgency.
Conclusions:
The results suggest that temperament does have an association with DV. These findings are in line with temperamental associations with other externalizing trouble behaviors and may inform potential treatment strategies for DV.
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