Genderrol gedrag bij meisjes met congenitale adrenogenitale hyperplasie

Abstract

In the literature (Ehrhardt et al. 1974) the difference in gender role behaviour between CAH girls and control girls is described as tomboy behaviour. By tomboy behaviour in girls with CAH is meant: - expression of physical energy in outdoor games and sports - preference for playing with boys' toys rather than with girl s and girls' toys little interest in marriage, pregnancy, motherhoed and caring for young children - a preferenee for casual clothes (particularly trousers) and a minimal interest in jewelry, makeup and different hairstyles - the wish to be a boy rather than a girl. The explanation of this tomboy behaviour is sought by Ehrhardt et al. in the action of the male hormone. According to these authors, prenatally the male hormone has an imprinting effect on the central nerveus system, which gives rise to tomboy behaviour. As there has been na research into the influence of psychosocial factors, particularly sickness factors and parents' doubts about the sex of the child as aresult of the deviant genitalia, our research has been directed to the study of these factors. A group of girls with CAH was compared with a group of healthy girls (control girls), a group of sick girls (girls with diabetes) and a group of sisters of CAH children. Similarly, CAH boys were compared with control boys, boys with diabetes and brathers of CAH children. In order to be able to measure the gender role behaviour of CAH girls an instrument was developed - the Sophia test - 'Ihich is based on the aspects of gender role behaviour distinguished by Erhardt et al. The Sophia test is composed of 5 parts: - pictures - assertions - questions - Osgood - drawin