Overgeneralisation Effect in Trait Inferencing About a Child with Craniofacial Microsomia by Medical Students and Child’s Relatives

BACKGROUND: The study uses the Overgeneralisation Effect Scale (OES) developed by K. Milska and A. Mański to estimate the overgeneralisation effect in trait inferencing about children with craniofacial anomalies, which involved university students (future health professionals) and relatives of children with craniofacial microsomia (CFM). The practical purpose of the study was to provide evidence supporting the benefits of using the OES to improve the outcomes of child rehabilitation. METHODS: The OES (Polish: Skala Efektu Nadgeneralizacji) was administered to a group of 843 university students of medical/caring professions and 26 parents/guardians of children with craniofacial anomalies. The responses of 757 subjects were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Different trait profiles of a child with CFM were obtained. The carer appraisal of their child tended to be very positive across all items. The student appraisals were definitely less positive and more varied. A range of factors which may affect trait impression leading to overgeneralisation in trait inferencing about a child with CFM have been identified, including familiarity with the child, craniofacial anomaly suggestive of more severe disability, emotional expression and the relationship to the child. CONCLUSION: The behaviour of the carers and professionals towards children with CFM undergoing diagnostic assessment, treatment and rehabilitation is determined by how each of them perceives the child. The presence of anomaly increases the likelihood of overgeneralisation effect both in carers and professionals. The OES may be one of the instruments to detect/measure these differences to improve the outcomes of child rehabilitation