Personality traits of hemophilic boys.

Abstract

Personality traits of 50 hemophilic boys were assessed with the Early School (ESPQ), Children's (CPQ), and High School (HSPQ) Personality Questionnaires. Compared to the norms for healthy, male age-mates, hemophiliacs were significantly more intelligent, stable, and secure. They did not deviate from the norm on the remaining eight traits assessed. The findings of higher intelligence may indicate that hemophilic boys are more motivated to excel intellectually because this avenue is more appropriate to them due to the risk of pain and disability from physical endeavors. Boys with severe hemophilia were significantly more self-controlled, serious, and submissive, compared to mild-to-moderate hemophiliacs. Possibly, this reflects the severe hemophiliacs' greater concern for the more serious nature of the medical sequelae they may experience from physical activity. Mild-to-moderate hemophiliacs were slightly below the norm on these traits, suggesting their attempt to overcompensate for or deny the physical implications of their hemophilia by being more assertive and impulsive.