title: Development of the participation and environment measure for children and youth: conceptual basis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this paper is to describe the conceptual foundation of a new parent-report measure of the participation and environment of children and youth: the Participation and Environment Measure - Children and Youth version (PEM-CY).
  
  
  METHODS
  The ICF-CY provided an initial conceptual framework. Results from a qualitative study to obtain parent perspectives and in-depth review of the literature were used to identify relevant dimensions, items and rating scales for measurement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Life situations, defined as sets of activity categories, were identified for three settings: home, school and community. Participation was operationalized as a multidimensional construct with three measurement dimensions: frequency, extent of involvement and desire for change. Parallel sets of items examining environmental factors that are perceived to help or facilitate participation were defined in relation to the typical activities of each setting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PEM-CY provides a new measure of participation and environment that reflects the perspectives of parents of children and youth. The instrument will facilitate research and professional practice to understand and support the participation of children and youth with and without disabilities.
authors: Boston University, Department of Occupational Therapy, Boston, MA 02215, USA. wjcoster@bu.edu
authors: Wendy
authors: W
authors: Coster
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Law
authors: Gary
authors: G
authors: Bedell
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Khetani
authors: Martha
authors: M
authors: Cousins
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Teplicky
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012574:Schools; D012931:Social Environment; D058992:Social Participation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires