Certain Selected Personality Correlates among Children of Sex-Worker Mothers, Destitute and Normal Cohorts

Abstract

Thirty children, each of sex-worker mothers, destitute and normal controls were used for the present study. Each group was divided into fifteen males and fifteen females .The main objective of the study was to determine if there is any significant difference in the attachment pattern, anxiety, self-concept and other personality correlates among the groups, across gender and any intra-group difference. Statistics in the form of descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (two way ANOVA) were conducted. Results indicated that significant group difference exist with regard to certain indices of personality such as - total number of responses, typical responses, atypical responses, human responses, anatomical responses and sex responses; certain dimensions of anxiety such as-total responses, separation anxiety disorder, social phobia, panic attack and agoraphobia, physical injuries fear, generalized anxiety disorder and attachment style. Significant gender differences exist with regard to certain indices of personality such as - sex responses and rejection of images; certain dimensions of anxiety such as - SCAS total responses, obsessive-compulsive disorder, separation anxiety disorder, social phobia, panic attack and agoraphobia, physical injuries fear, generalized anxiety disorder. Significant intra-group differences were also obtained. Qualitative analysis also reveals difference among the groups with respect to selfconcept. The present investigation is of much significance in understanding the personality profiles of the selected groups of children so that specific therapeutic interventions can be adopted for catering to the special needs of the children.