Article

AIM: To assess changes over time in parents' expectations of adult milestone
achievement (college attendance, full-time job attainment, independent living,
marriage, parenthood) for young people with spina bifida,
to examine how
expectancies relate to actual milestone achievement, and to compare milestone
achievement in emerging adults with spina bifida with that of peers with typical
development. METHOD: Sixty-eight families of children with spina bifida (mean age
8y 4mo, 37 males, 31 females) and 68 families of children with typical
development (mean age 8y 6mo, 37 males, 31 females) participated at Time 1. At
all subsequent timepoints, parents of young people with spina bifida were asked
to rate their expectations of emerging adulthood milestone achievement. At Time
7, when participants were 22 to 23 years old, milestone achievement was assessed.
RESULTS: Parents of young people with spina bifida lowered their expectations
over time for most milestones; parents of children with higher cognitive ability
reported decreases of lower magnitude. Parent expectancies were optimistic and
unrelated to actual milestone achievement. Emerging adults with spina bifida were
less likely than individuals with typical development to achieve all milestones.
INTERPRETATION: Optimistic parental expectations may be adaptive for children
with spina bifida and their families, although it is important for families to
set realistic goals. Healthcare providers serve a key role in helping families of
young people with spina bifida prepare for emerging adulthood.
CI - (c) 2016 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS