Well-being among children and adolescents with mobility impairment in relation to demographic data and disability characteristics.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the well-being of children and adolescents with mobility impairment in relation to demographic data and disability characteristics.


METHODS
The present study is based on interviews with 141 subjects aged 7 to 18?y with impaired mobility. Perceived overall well-being was measured by a nine-grade visual scale, the Snoopy scale. Independence or dependence was evaluated by the Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living. Motor capacity was assessed with an instrument including active movements, rapidity, locomotion and balance as well as the presence and localization of pain.


RESULTS
Since there were no significant differences in well-being regarding the diagnostic-related group, additional disorder/disability or the degree of disability, the impairment per se did not necessarily influence well-being negatively. Even though the majority of the children and adolescents in the study indicated a high level of well-being, several risk factors for a lower level of well-being were identified: greater age, not living with both parents, being a first-generation immigrant, having an acquired disease/injury and experience of pain.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings increase our limited knowledge of well-being among children/adolescents with mobility impairment and provide a basis for effective care and future research.
Jemtå
Lena
L
Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. lena.jemta@rehab.uu.se
Dahl
M
M
Fugl-Meyer
Kerstin S
KS
Stensman
Richard
R
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013548:Sweden