Constructing a prospective model of psychosocial adaptation in young adolescents with spina bifida: an application of optimal data analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine how individual- and family-level predictors in late childhood and preadolescence relate to psychosocial adaptation (i.e., scholastic success, social acceptance, and positive self-worth) in early adolescence.


METHODS
This prospective longitudinal study includes 68 families of children with spina bifida and 68 comparison families of healthy children. Multimethod, multiinformant data were evaluated via optimal data analysis (ODA) and classification tree analysis (CTA) techniques.


RESULTS
Factors best predicting psychosocial adaptation in early adolescence included (a) intrinsic motivation, (b) estimated verbal IQ, (c) behavioral conduct, (d) coping style, and (e) physical appearance. There were no significant group (spina bifida vs. able-bodied) effects.


CONCLUSIONS
The final classification model correctly classified 77.8% of the total sample, indicating that this model had significant predictive capabilities. Results suggested that processes leading to psychosocial adaptation may be similar for youth with and without chronic illness.
Coakley
Rachael Millstein
RM
Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60626, USA.
Holmbeck
Grayson N
GN
Bryant
Fred B
FB
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D004522:Educational Status; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007207:Individuation; D007360:Intelligence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009042:Motivation; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D012803:Sick Role; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications