title: Social Skills in Youth With Spina Bifida: A Longitudinal Multimethod Investigation Comparing Biopsychosocial Predictors.
abstract: To examine the relative contributions of neuropsychological (attention and executive function), family (cohesion and conflict), and health (body mass index, lesion level, gross motor function) domains on social skills over time in youth with spina bifida (SB).
  
  
  
  In all, 140 youth with SB (T1 mean age = 11.43 years) and their families participated in the study at baseline with an additional visit 2 years later. Study variables were assessed with multiple methods (questionnaire, medical chart review, observation, neuropsychological tests) and reporters (parents, teachers). Multivariate hierarchical linear regressions determined the predictive power of the three domains for T2 social skills.
  
  
  
  Neuropsychological variables accounted for significant variance in mother- and father-reported T2 social skills. Neither family nor health variables contributed significantly to later social skills when other domains were included in the model.
  
  
  
  Neuropsychological factors are particularly important for social skill development in youth with SB. Findings can inform screening and intervention practices.
authors.affiliation: Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
authors.forename: Christina E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Holbein
authors.affiliation: Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Peugh
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago.
authors.forename: Grayson N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Holmbeck
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D056344:Executive Function; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010379:Peer Group; D066107:Social Skills; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: condition severity; family functioning; neuropsychological function; social skills; spina bifida