title: A multimethod, multi-informant, and multidimensional perspective on psychosocial adjustment in preadolescents with spina bifida.
abstract: This study examined the psychosocial adjustment of preadolescents with spina bifida in relation to a comparison sample of able-bodied preadolescents (8- and 9-year-olds; n = 68 in each sample). The study also examined the potential clinical utility of a narrowband multimethod, multi-informant, and multidimensional perspective on the assessment of psychosocial functioning in children and adolescents with pediatric conditions. Findings revealed that children with spina bifida tended to be socially immature and passive, less likely to have social contacts outside of school, more dependent on adults for guidance, less competent scholastically, less physically active, less likely to make independent decisions, and more likely to exhibit attention and concentration difficulties. No group differences were found for externalizing symptoms, affective functioning, or global self-worth, suggesting resilience in these domains for the spina bifida sample. Findings also suggest that low socioeconomic status and the presence of a physical disability may be additive risk factors for certain psychosocial adjustment difficulties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, Illinois 60626, USA. gholmbe@luc.edu
authors.forename: Grayson N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Holmbeck
authors.forename: Venette C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Westhoven
authors.forename: Wendy Shapera
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Rachael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bowers
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gruse
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nikolopoulos
authors.forename: Christine M Wienke
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Totura
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Davison
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012107:Research Design; D012917:Social Adjustment; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires