Article

PURPOSE: To explore self-reports on emotional, conduct, hyperactivity and peer
problems and on prosocial behaviour in youth with cerebral palsy (CP), compare
the reports to normative data and to mothers' reports and to analyse if recurrent
CP-related musculoskeletal pain (RMP) influence the self-reports. METHODS:
Eighty-one youth with CP (mean age 14.2 years, 40 boys) were assessed by clinical
examination, interview and the questionnaire Strengths and Difficulties
Questionnaire (SDQ) filled in by the youths and their mothers. Gross motor
function (GMFCS) was: level I 43%, level II 41%, level III 12% and level IV-V 4%.
RESULTS: Compared to normative data, youth with CP reported similar levels of
peer problems, less conduct problems (p < 0.01), less hyperactivity problems (p <
0.01) and more prosocial behaviour (p < 0.01). Compared to the mothers' reports,
youth with CP reported lower levels of peer problems (p < 0.01). Twenty-six boys
(65%) and 28 girls (68%) had RMP. Girls, but not boys with RMP reported a higher
level of peer problems (p = 0.02) than youth without RMP. CONCLUSION: Self-report
on mental health in addition to parental proxy-report is important because it
yields additional information. Peer acceptance and the impact of pain on peer
problems and participation are candidate topics for further research.

Langue : ANGLAIS