Abstract
In this study, we explored age-related differences in smiling and related personality characteristics in individuals with Down syndrome. Participants were 65 children, adolescents, and young adults with intellectual disabilities aged 5–20 years (Down syndrome: 42, mixed etiologies: 23) and their parents. Both directly observable measures of social behavior (smiling frequency and duration) and parent report measures of child personality (subdomains of the Reiss profiles and Achenbach’s child behavior checklist) were examined. Significant interactions between group (Down syndrome versus mixed) and age were observed for smile frequency (decreased with age in Down syndrome), smile duration (decreased with age in Down syndrome), attention seeking (decreased with age in Down syndrome), and anxious/withdrawn (increased with age in Down syndrome). Relationships between smiling behavior and personality/psychopathology dimensions are also reported for both groups. Implications for developmental approaches to studying outcomes in specific genetic disorders are discussed.
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Fidler, D.J., Barrett, K.C. & Most, D.E. Age-Related Differences in Smiling and Personality in Down Syndrome. J Dev Phys Disabil 17, 263–280 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-005-4384-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-005-4384-x