Boys with hypospadias: a survey of behavioral difficulties

Studied behavior problems and gender-role behavior of psychiatrically unselected boys (N = 69; ages 6-10 years) with mild or severe hypospadias, a genital anomaly. Parents completed standardized questionnaires in a postal survey. Subjects showed more behavior problems and lower social competency than nonclinical subjects but were better adjusted than a psychiatric-clinical control group. More severe anomalies were associated with increased behavior problems and poorer school performance. Boys with hypospadias had more cross-gender behavior which, however, was not associated with severity of the condition. Surgery-related hospitalizations were correlated with poorer school performance and increased cross-gender behavior. A history of hypospadias did not appear to have a lasting negative impact on the family.