[Accentuations of character in adolescents with infantile cerebral palsy]

A questionnaire was used to investigate 102 adolescents aged 14 to 18 suffering from infantile cerebral paralysis (spastic diplegia) with various degrees of motor disturbances. Neurasthenic, psychasthenic and sensitive types of character accentuation were most prevalent in these patients (p less than 0.05). Unstable type of character accentuation is also frequently occurring. The degree of motor disorders had a major impact on shaping and fixation of astheno-neurotic accentuation traits. Emotional experience of the cosmetic defect influenced fixation of the sensitive type traits. The new principles of organization of psychoprophylactic assistance and psychotherapeutic aid to these patients with respect to any "fragile links" in their characters are put forward.