Temperament and Psychopathology in Children of Patients Suffering from Schizophrenia

Abstract

Background: Temperament is a very important aspect of functioning that needs to be understood in children of patients suffering from schizophrenia. The children of parents with mental disorder have substantially increased risk of psychiatric illness in them and may exhibit a range of problems from minor variations in temperament and adjustment to manifest psychiatric disorder. Method: A case control study was conducted to study the temperament characteristics and psychopathology in children of patients suffering from schizophrenia as compared to those of healthy controls. Both the groups were evaluated on Temperament Measurement Schedule and Childhood Psychopathology Measurement Schedule. Results: The results showed that children of patients suffering from schizophrenia were withdrawing, less adaptable, less sociable and had lower activity level than children of healthy parents. However, on the measure of psychopathology, no significant difference was found. Conclusion: Temperament variation in children of patients suffering with schizophrenia was found in this study could be due to genetic predisposition. Thus, both genetic and environmental factors determine the psychological adjustment of the children. Keywords: Temperament, Schizophrenia, Children, Psychopathology