title: Self-worth, perceived competence, and behaviour problems in children with cerebral palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the relevance of physical disabilities for self-worth and perceived competence in children with cerebral palsy (CP), and to examine associations between behaviour problems and self-worth and perceived competence.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Harter scales for self-worth and perceived competence and a new scale for perceived motor competence were used in a sample of 80 children with CP. Their motor functioning was assessed with the Gross Motor Functioning Measure (GMFM) and behaviour problems with the Child Behaviour Check List administered to parents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-worth and perceived competence for children with CP were comparable to the Dutch norm sample, except for perceived athletic competence. Within the CP sample, the GMFM showed a domain-specific effect on perceived motor competence. In the multivariate analysis, internalizing problems were associated negatively with all perceived competence scales and self-worth, whereas aggression was positively associated with perceived motor competence, physical appearance, and self-worth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children with CP appear resilient against challenges posed to their self-worth caused by their disabilities. The relevance of the physical disability appears to be domain-specific. For internalizing problems and aggression, different theoretical models are needed to account for their associations with self-worth and perceived competence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Child and Family Studies, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. c.schuengel@psy.vu.nl
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schuengel
authors.forename: Jeanine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Voorman
authors.forename: Joop
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stolk
authors.forename: Annet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dallmeijer
authors.forename: Adri
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vermeer
authors.forename: Jules
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Becher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012649:Self Concept