Understanding psychological adjustment in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy : findings from a peer controlled, longitudinal, study

• Main Author: McCahey, Elaine Maura
• Published: Queen's University Belfast 2013
• Subjects: 362.196836
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.602597

Background and ,Aims: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are at an increased risk of experiencing psychological adjustment problems. However little is known about how these problems change over time or the risk factors associated with poor adjustment. Methods: Secondary data on psychological adjustment (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire - SDQ) were available based on children from the Northern Ireland Cerebral Palsy Register (102 when aged 8 -12 years and 85 retained five years later at 13 ~ 17 years). Both child and parent reported data were utilised. Normative data were collected based on 13 - 17 year old adolescents from the general population in Northern Ireland (NI) for comparison (2174 adolescents and 720 of their parents). Results: Rates of adjustment problems were more than three times as high in young people with CP (44%) compared to peer controls (13%) from the general population in NI. However these figures were based on parent informants and smaller differences were observed based on youth report. Changes in difficulties in children with CP were evident across time with Hyperactivity being most salient in childhood (46% prevalence) and Peer Problems in adolescence (60%). Child factors (impairment variables and psychosocial factors) rather than parental factors were of prospective significance in predicting risk. Cross-sectional analyses suggested that differential risk factors operated in both childhood and adolescence. Conclusions: Evidence for the nature of and risk factors associated with, adjustment difficulties in children and young people with CP is advanced. Implications for psychological assessment and interventions are discussed.