Determinants of self-care participation of young children with cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
To test a model of child, family and service determinants of self-care participation of children with cerebral palsy (CP), grouped by Gross Motor Function Classification System levels (I-II and III-V).


METHODS
Participants were a convenience sample of 429 children (242 males) with CP, aged 18-60 months. Data on impairments and gross motor function were collected by reliable therapists; parents provided information about children's health conditions and adaptive behaviour. Seven months later parents reported on family life and services received. One year after study onset, parents documented children's self-care participation. Data from two groups of children were analysed using structural equation modelling.


RESULTS
The model explained a significant proportion of the variance of self-care participation, with higher motor function, fewer health conditions and higher levels of adaptive behaviour being associated with greater self-care participation.


CONCLUSIONS
Supporting children's gross motor function, health and adaptive behaviour may optimize self-care participation.
School of Physical Therapy, Western University , London, ON , Canada.
Doreen J
DJ
Bartlett
Lisa A
LA
Chiarello
Sarah Westcott
SW
McCoy
Robert J
RJ
Palisano
Lynn
L
Jeffries
Alyssa LaForme
AL
Fiss
Piotr
P
Wilk
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D010290:Parents; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Biopsychosocial approach; prospective cohort study; structural equation modelling