Am J Psychiatry 1979; 136:1398-1402
Copyright © 1979 by American Psychiatric Association
Superkids: competent children of psychotic mothers
C Kauffman, H Grunebaum, B Cohler and E Gamer
In a follow-up study of children of psychotic mothers, the authors examined
a subgroup of outstandingly talented, colorful, and competent "high-risk"
children. These children and their mothers were given a variety of
psychological tests and were interviewed individually. They were then
compared with a control group of children whose mothers had no psychiatric
illness. The 6 most socially and intellectually competent high-risk
children were strikingly more competent, colorful, creative, and talented
than the 6 highest functioning control children. They more often reported
having a best friend and had extensive and positive contact with an
extrafamilial adult. Another important variable in the prediction of high
social competence among children at high risk is a warm relationship with
the mother.
