The influence of selected personal and environmental factors on leisure activities in adults with cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the influence of selected personal and environmental factors on leisure participation in adults with cerebral palsy (CP).


METHODS
A group of 145 adults with CP (18-41 years old, 51% male) responded to questionnaires regarding 1) socio-demographic and health factors, 2) life habits (Life-H: short version 3.1) and 3) the environment (Measure of the Quality of the Environment: version 2.0). A chi2 statistic (p<0.05) estimated the association between 1) socio-demographic and health factors and the environment and 2) the level of leisure activity participation.


RESULTS
Most participants (mean age=28 years) lived with their parents. Leisure activities were their principal occupation. Mobility and participation were positively associated. The environment (e.g. accompanying services, adapted transport, cultural services and computers) facilitated leisure for those with a high or moderate participation level. Individuals with low participation perceived the environment as having no influence.


CONCLUSIONS
Adults with CP who are more mobile participate more in leisure activities. A positive perception of the environment (facilitating leisure participation) likely reflects the individual's ability to benefit from the environment, whereas a neutral view of the environment may reflect the fact that other factors, such as mobility limitations, are of greater relevance to leisure participation.
Boucher
Normand
N
Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche en Réadaptation et Intégration Sociale (CIRRIS) et l'Institut de Réadaptation en Déficience Physique de Québec (IRDPQ), Québec, Canada. normand.boucher@cirris.ulaval.ca
Dumas
Francine
F
Maltais
Désirée B
DB
Richards
Carol L
CL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001107:Architectural Accessibility; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult