ABSTRACT
The psychosocial literature concerning short-statured children is remarkable in that, with few exceptions, the conclusion is that shortness is a handicapping condition. This conclusion has led to an extensive effort by pediatric endocrinologists to seek effective forms of treatment, and has motivated mental health professionals to study these children. Three areas that have received a great deal of attention are personality characteristics, parent-child interaction, and cognitive and academic functioning. Positive adaptation might be operationalized as social competence. Social behavior is defined as that behavior that is culturally age appropriate, and competence as efficacy or skillfulness in accomplishing age-appropriate tasks. Social competence by this definition provides a measure of personality adjustment. Physical growth as a factor affecting psychosocial adjustment has not received a great deal of attention, and clarification of the relationship between growth and social competence seems indicated.
