Article

Social participation provides youths with opportunities to develop
their self-concept, friendships, and meaning in life. Youths with cerebral palsy
(CP) have been reported to participate more in home-based leisure activities and
to have fewer social experiences with friends and others than youths without
disabilities. The objective of this study was to identify youth,
family, and service determinants of the participation of youths with CP in
leisure activities with friends and others who are not family members.
The study design was a cross-sectional analysis. The participants were
209 youths who were 13 to 21 years old (52% male), had CP, and were classified in
Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I to V as well as their
parents. The participants were recruited from 7 children's hospitals in 6
different states. Youths completed the Children's Assessment of Participation and
Enjoyment in structured interviews. Parents completed the Coping Inventory,
Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument, Family Environment Scale, Measure
of Processes of Care, and demographic and service questionnaires. Researchers
determined GMFCS levels. A sequential multiple regression analysis was used to
determine the youth, family, and service variables that predicted participation
with friends and with others who were not family members. RESULTS: Sports and
physical function, communication or speech problems, educational program, and the
extent to which the desired community recreational activities were obtained
explained 45.8% of the variance in the number of activities engaged in with
friends. A higher level of parental education explained 6.3% of the variance in
the number of activities engaged in with others who were not family members.
Limitations The youths' activity preferences and intensity of participation were
not examined. CONCLUSIONS: /b> Youth and service characteristics were
determinants of participation with friends but not others who were not family
members. The findings have implications for the role of physical therapists in
promoting sports and physical and communication abilities and enhancing community
opportunities to optimize the social participation of youths with CP.

Langue : ANGLAIS