Social skills and relationships in Turner syndrome

Abstract

Purpose of review: Summarise the literature on the social skills and relationships of females with Turner Syndrome (TS) and examine the biological and psychological factors that may contribute to social interaction difficulties. Recent Findings: Turner syndrome is often associated with impaired social-cognitive processing and executive function deficits. These cognitive abnormalities, together with a range of physical differences, may adversely affect social communication skills, which typically begin to impair quality of life during early adolescence. Parental accounts of their daughter's social skills frequently highlight interaction problems, both in the home and beyond; in contrast, self-reports are usually far more positive. At present, we do not know the extent to which such self-reports reflect a lack of social awareness, or a lack of concern about social difficulties. Summary: Women with TS experience are likely to experience social interaction challenges (especially in friendships and relationships) across the lifespan. Providing appropriate guidance and support to them demands a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.

Effects of hypogonadism on brain development during adolescence in girls with Turner syndrome

“…Notably, the OFC is a prefrontal cortex region that is strongly involved in the cognitive processing of emotion and reward during decision‐making (Bechara, Damasio, & Damasio, ). Impaired social cognitive processing and executive function deficits have been repeatedly reported (Wolstencroft & Skuse, ). The currently observed “off‐track” orbitofrontal changes during adolescence in girls with TS presenting with severe hypogonadism therefore might relate to the disrupted social cognition in these patients, highlighting a substantial role for estrogen in this area and social cognition.…”

“…Notably, the OFC is a prefrontal cortex region that is strongly involved in the cognitive processing of emotion and reward during decision-making (Bechara, Damasio, & Damasio, 2000). Impaired social cognitive processing and executive function deficits have been repeatedly reported (Wolstencroft & Skuse, 2019 (Lebel & Beaulieu, 2011). These findings were compatible with our currently observed subtle age-related RD changes in thalamus radiation and cingulum in the subnormal group, suggesting "near-typical" age-related changes of these association fibers in TS girls under relatively-reserved ovarian function.…”

Clinical developmental, neuropsychological, and social–emotional features of Turner syndrome

“…Social skills, however, have received more attention by TS researchers. There is research demonstrating that many aspects of social functioning may be different in some people with TS (D. S. Hong et al, 2011;Wolstencroft & Skuse, 2018), including difficulties forming and maintaining social relationships (McCauley, Sybert, & Ehrhardt, 1986), having fewer close friends (Lagrou et al, 2006), and being seen as less socially competent than their peers (McCauley, Feuillan, Kushner, & Ross, 2001). Specific components of social processing that have been studied showed people with TS to have higher risk for impairments in areas of: facial recognition (Romans, Stefanatos, Roeltgen, Kushner, & Ross, 1998; J. L. Ross, Kushner, & Zinn, 1997), facial matching and fear recognition (D. S. Hong, Bray, Haas, Hoeft, & Reiss, 2014;Lawrence, Kuntsi, Coleman, Campbell, & Skuse, 2003;Mazzola et al, 2006), gaze processing (Elgar, Campbell, & Skuse, 2002; and interpretation of subtle social cues (McCauley, Kay, Ito, & Treder, 1987).…”

“…In addition, girls with TS have an increased likelihood of having executive functioning deficits, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and increased symptoms of anxiety (Green et al, 2015;Kilic, Ergur, & Ocal, 2005). They may also have more vulnerability socially, with increased rates of difficulties in peer relationships (D. S. Hong, Dunkin, & Reiss, 2011;Wolstencroft & Skuse, 2018). This psychological profile contributes to a variable clinical presentation that ranges from girls who are markedly affected to those with minimal or no challenges in these different domains.…”

Social functioning and emotion recognition in adults with triple X syndrome

“…Moreover, the ability to recognise emotions is an important part of social cognition and is required for adequate social functioning, including the ability to form and maintain personal relationships. Although impaired emotion recognition has been reported in other sex chromosome disorders, including Klinefelter and Turner syndrome, [30][31][32] to date no studies have examined emotion recognition in adults with TXS.…”