Psychological Correlates of Accommodative Squint

Adrienne Rona, MA DOBA

The aim of this study was to determine whether certain psychological variable are distinct characteristics of children suffering from accommodative squints. Thirty children who have been diagnosed as suffering from accommodative squint, thirty other orthoptic patients and thirty control children were tested with psychological and physiological tests.
On the Rosenzweig Picture Frustration Study, children with accommodative squint showed greatest tendency to turn their aggression onto the environment and they showed least tendency to gloss over frustration.
On the Bristol Social Adjustment Guide, it was found that they had to a statistically significant degree a readiness to overreact to everyday situations.
Heart rate measures were taken under slightly stressful conditions. Only children with accommodative squint showed a consistent, statistically significant increase in their heart rate.
The influence of the above findings is tentatively offered as an implicating factor in the aetiology, prognosis and treatment of accommodative squint.