Using behavioural network mapping to investigate dyadic play in girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Examining mechanisms underlying sex differences in children's play styles, we studied girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) who provide a test of the relative effects of prenatal androgens versus rearing, and of behavioural similarity versus gender identity and cognitions. In this exploratory study, 40 focal children (girls and boys with and without CAH), aged 3-8 years, played for 14 min with a same-sex peer in a task designed to elicit rough-and-tumble play. Time-indexed ratings of positive affect and vigour of activity were evaluated via network mapping for sex-related differences in both levels and play dynamics (temporal relations among behaviours). Results suggest influences of both gender identity-aligned social cognitions and prenatal androgens: there was greater dyadic synchrony between positive affect for girls (regardless of CAH status) than boys, but girls with CAH displayed positive affect levels and directed vigorous peer play dynamics similar to boys.