Social deficits in male children and adolescents with sex chromosome aneuploidy: A comparison of XXY, XYY, and XXYY syndromes

We compare social skills in three groups of males with sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs) using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). Participants included males with XXY (N = 102, M = 10.08 years), XYY (N = 40, M = 9.93 years), and XXYY (N = 32, M = 11.57 years). XXY had lower (better) SRS scores compared to XYY and XXYY. Scores were not significantly different between XYY and XXYY. In all groups, there were significantly more with SRS scores in the severe range compared to the SRS normative sample. All groups scored lowest (better) on Social Motivation. Relationships between SRS scores and demographic and clinical variables were examined. Results describe the social skills in males with SCA, and suggest that an additional Y chromosome may contribute to increased risk of autistic behaviors.

► This study compares social skills in three groups with sex chromosome aneuploidies. ► In XXY, XYY and XXYY a significant proportion of participants had social deficits. ► Lower verbal abilities (in XXY and XXYY) were significantly related to social skills. ► Findings in XYY and XXYY suggest the Y chromosome may contribute to social deficits.