Neuroticism and extraversion in Turner's syndrome.

The Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI) was administered to girls with Turner's syndrome, their sisters, nonsiblings with growth retardation and primary amenorrhea, and to nurses. The results were compared to English and American normative values. The total group of Turner girls obtained a low Neuroticism (N) score compared to the control groups. When the total group was divided on the basis of their karyotypes, the low N score could be referred solely to girls with karyotype 45X, who scored significantly lower than any other group tested so far with the MPT. Turner girls with chromosomal abnormalities other than 45X scored within normal limits. No variables other than karyotype 4SX were related to an extremely low N score. It was accordingly concluded that exceptional emotional stability, as reflected in a very low N score on the MPI, is concomitant with the total absence of one sex chromosome, probably due to a developmental abnormality of the central nervous system.