title: Evaluation of Self-Concept and Emotional-Behavioral Functioning of Children with Brachial Plexus Birth Injury.
abstract: BackgroundThe reported incidence of brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) is 0.87 to 2.2 per 1,000 live births. The psychological functioning, including self-concept and emotional-behavioral functioning, of children with BPBI has only been examined to a limited extent.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to describe the self-concept and emotional-behavioral functioning in children with BPBI from both the child's and parent's perspective.MethodsThirty-one children with BPBI, mean age 11 years 1 month, completed the Draw A Person: Screening Procedure for Emotional Disturbance (DAP:SPED) and Piers Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (PHCSCS). The parents answered questions from the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Parent Rating Scales (BASC-2 PRS).ResultsThe scores from the DAP:SPED drawings showed further evaluation was not strongly indicated in the majority of the children. The PHCSCS Total score demonstrated that the children had a strongly positive self-concept. The parental responses to the BASC-2 PRS indicated that few children were at risk or in the clinically significant range for the four composite scores and all of the component clinical or adaptive scales. Gender comparison revealed females exhibited greater anxiety than males.ConclusionBoth children and parents reported a positive psychological well-being for the majority of the children. Parents had greater concerns about their child's social-emotional functioning, particularly anxiety. An interdisciplinary approach (occupational therapy evaluation, clinical observation, and parental interview) is necessary to determine the need for mental health referral.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, New York, United States.
authors.forename: Lori A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Belfiore
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Psychology Services, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, New York, United States.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami, Florida, United States.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sarshalom
authors.affiliation: Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Program, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami, Florida, United States.
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grossman
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, New York, United States.
authors.forename: Debra A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Sala
authors.affiliation: Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Program, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami, Florida, United States; Department of Orthopedics, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, New York, United States.
authors.forename: John A I
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Grossman
keywords: Behavior Assessment System for Children; Draw A Person: Screening Procedure For Emotional Disturbance; Piers Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale; birth injury; brachial plexus; self-concept