Abstract

DASCANIO, Denise et al. The intellectual and academic performance of adolescents contaminated by lead: relation with social skills. Temas psicol. [online]. 2012, vol.20, n.1, pp. 45-60. ISSN 1413-389X.

This study investigated the impact of blood lead level on intellectual (IQ) and academic performance, four years after blood contamination through lead poisoning, as well as on behavior problems and social skills, eight years after the poisoning. Fifty-four adolescents participated, with an average 14 years of age. They composed two groups: low blood lead level (less than 5µg/dl) and high blood lead level (greater than 10µg/dl). Four years ago, participants had been assessed for social skills and behavior problems (IHSA-Del-Prette, SSRS-BR), through the WISC-III and TDE. As a result, the group with high blood lead levels presented greater IQ impairment and more behavior problems. No differences in academic performance and social skills (as evaluated by the teacher) were evidenced, but the high blood lead group assessed themselves as having a better social skills repertoire. Possible explanations and implications for these results are discussed and new questions for research are presented.

Keywords : Academic performance; Intellectual performance; Social skills; Blood lead level; Behavior problems.

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