Experiences of social interaction in young women with Turner syndrome: A qualitative study

Abstract

Turner Syndrome (TS; 45,X) is a sex chromosome aneuploidy associated with deficits in social interaction, for which clinical care guidelines have recently recommended trialling a social skills training intervention. The present study aimed to gather preliminary evidence to support a training programme for young women. Semi-structured interviews and psychometric questionnaires about social ability were administered to young women with TS aged 16 to 25 years old (n=17) and their parents (n=20). Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Although young women with TS experienced a "wide range of social competencies," they attributed social challenges to "personal and contextual factors." The magnitude of these challenges to social integration intensified during adolescence. They felt increasingly "out of sync" with their peers. They also considered their social abilities to be better than their parents did; on a scale of autistic traits (rated by parents), half had mild to severe autistic traits. Most expressed interest in taking part in a social skills programme. Young women with TS are aware they experience difficulties in social communication, and they express interest in improving their social skills. Accordingly, social skills training during adolescence would be welcomed by them and their families. Any intervention should take account of their feelings of social dislocation arising from hearing difficulties together with limited recognition, and slow processing, of social cues.