Personality development, problem solving, and behavior problems among preschool children with early histories of nonorganic failure-to-thrive: a controlled study.

Using a prospective study design, 48 preschool children with early histories of nonorganic failure-to-thrive (NOFT) and 47 physically healthy children of comparable age, sex, birth order, and family demographics were compared on measures of problem solving and personality development (ego control and ego resiliency). In responding to structured measures, NOFT children demonstrated deficits in behavioral organization, ego control, and ego resiliency compared with controls. Parents also identified higher levels of behavioral symptoms in children with early histories of NOFT compared with controls. However, home observational measures of ego control and ego resiliency did not differentiate the two groups. Deficiencies in problem solving and personality development and increased levels of behavioral symptoms in preschool children with early histories of NOFT may affect their future socioemotional development and learning.