Self-Management Behaviors of Children With Spina Bifida.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with self-management behaviors in children with spina bifida (SB). The Individual and Family Self-Management Theory was used as a framework.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional survey study of 112 elementary school children (7-12 years old) with SB who regularly attended scheduled follow-up appointments at the SB clinic of a children's hospital in Seoul, Korea, and their parents. Demographics, condition severity, school adjustment, and family function were the contextual self-management factors, whereas self-management knowledge, self-efficacy, and social support were the process factors.


RESULTS
Age and condition severity were the contextual factors influencing self-management behaviors in children with SB; among the process factors, self-management knowledge and self-efficacy were statistically significant predictors.


CONCLUSIONS
To improve self-management behaviors in children with SB, it is necessary to develop intervention programs that reflect their age and condition severity as contextual factors and aim to enhance self-management knowledge and self-efficacy as process factors.
Questions or comments about this article may be directed to Hyun Jung Yun, PhD, at hj0429@cju.ac.kr. She is an Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Cheongju University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea. Hee Soon Kim, PhD FAAN, is Professor, Nursing Policy Research Institute, College of Nursing, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Hyun Jung
HJ
Yun
Hee Soon
HS
Kim
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D012648:Self Care; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000523:psychology*