Factors impacting the quality of peer relationships of youth with Tourette's syndrome

O'Hare, D; Eapen, V; Helmes, E; McBain, K; Reece, J; Grove, R

Factors impacting the quality of peer relationships of youth with Tourette's syndrome

O'Hare, D Eapen, V Helmes, E McBain, K Reece, J Grove, R

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: BMC Psychology, 2015, 3 (1)
Issue Date:: 2015-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	O'Hare, D	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Eapen, V	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Helmes, E	en_US
dc.contributor.author	McBain, K	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Reece, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Grove, R https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6669-9385	en_US
dc.date.available	2015-09-15	en_US
dc.date.issued	2015-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	BMC Psychology, 2015, 3 (1)	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/132589
dc.description.abstract	© 2015 O'Hare et al. Background: Tourette's syndrome (TS) is a poorly understood neurodevelopmental disorder consistently associated with impaired peer relationships. This research aimed to investigate the relationship between TS and the ability of diagnosed youth to form secure attachment relationships with peers. A quantitative study examined differences between youth with TS and typically developing peers in social functioning, relationship problems and attachment security. Qualitative studies sought to identify factors that enhanced or impeded the ability to form secure peer relationships, including the impact of tic severity, comorbidity and personality traits. All research was conducted from the parental perspective. Methods: The research consisted of a controlled, survey-based qualitative and quantitative study (Study One) of parents of youth with TS (n = 86) and control group peers (n = 108), and a qualitative telephone interview-based study of TS group parents (Study Two, n = 22). Quantitative assessment of social functioning, peer problems and peer attachment security was conducted using the Paediatric Quality of Life inventory, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Attachment Questionnaire for Children. Qualitative data relating to personality was classified using the Five Factor Model. Results: Results revealed significantly higher rates of insecure peer attachment, problems in peer relationships, difficulty making friends, stigmatisation and lower levels of social functioning for the TS group. Significant between-group differences in number and type of factors impacting peer relationships were also determined with 'personality' emerging as the most prevalent factor. Whilst Extraversion and Agreeableness facilitated friendships for both groups, higher rates of Neuroticism were barriers to friendship for individuals with TS. The TS group also identified multiple 'non-personality' factors impacting peer relationships, including TS and comorbid symptom severity, the child's psychological and behavioural adjustment to their disorder, coping strategies and the behaviour and attitudes of peers. Discussion: Our findings suggest that, whilst Extraversion and Agreeableness facilitated friendships for both groups, higher rates of Neuroticism were barriers to friendship for individuals with TS. Notwithstanding the fact that these findings are based on parental report and not the perceptions of youth themselves, this study may help clinicians to identify youth at increased risk of developing insecure peer relationships and guide the development of targeted supports. Conclusions: The findings from the study may help clinicians, parents and individuals with TS to better understand and cope with the difficulties experienced in interactions with peers.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	BMC Psychology	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1186/S40359-015-0090-3	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Tourette Syndrome	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Social Behavior	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Social Adjustment	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Personality	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Parents	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Peer Group	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Interpersonal Relations	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Child	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires	en_US
dc.title	Factors impacting the quality of peer relationships of youth with Tourette's syndrome	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	1	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	3	en_US
utslib.for	1701 Psychology	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Graduate School of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	1	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	3	en_US

Abstract:

© 2015 O'Hare et al. Background: Tourette's syndrome (TS) is a poorly understood neurodevelopmental disorder consistently associated with impaired peer relationships. This research aimed to investigate the relationship between TS and the ability of diagnosed youth to form secure attachment relationships with peers. A quantitative study examined differences between youth with TS and typically developing peers in social functioning, relationship problems and attachment security. Qualitative studies sought to identify factors that enhanced or impeded the ability to form secure peer relationships, including the impact of tic severity, comorbidity and personality traits. All research was conducted from the parental perspective. Methods: The research consisted of a controlled, survey-based qualitative and quantitative study (Study One) of parents of youth with TS (n = 86) and control group peers (n = 108), and a qualitative telephone interview-based study of TS group parents (Study Two, n = 22). Quantitative assessment of social functioning, peer problems and peer attachment security was conducted using the Paediatric Quality of Life inventory, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Attachment Questionnaire for Children. Qualitative data relating to personality was classified using the Five Factor Model. Results: Results revealed significantly higher rates of insecure peer attachment, problems in peer relationships, difficulty making friends, stigmatisation and lower levels of social functioning for the TS group. Significant between-group differences in number and type of factors impacting peer relationships were also determined with 'personality' emerging as the most prevalent factor. Whilst Extraversion and Agreeableness facilitated friendships for both groups, higher rates of Neuroticism were barriers to friendship for individuals with TS. The TS group also identified multiple 'non-personality' factors impacting peer relationships, including TS and comorbid symptom severity, the child's psychological and behavioural adjustment to their disorder, coping strategies and the behaviour and attitudes of peers. Discussion: Our findings suggest that, whilst Extraversion and Agreeableness facilitated friendships for both groups, higher rates of Neuroticism were barriers to friendship for individuals with TS. Notwithstanding the fact that these findings are based on parental report and not the perceptions of youth themselves, this study may help clinicians to identify youth at increased risk of developing insecure peer relationships and guide the development of targeted supports. Conclusions: The findings from the study may help clinicians, parents and individuals with TS to better understand and cope with the difficulties experienced in interactions with peers.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/132589