Psychological factors in children with cerebral palsy and their families

Year 2012, Volume: 17 Issue: 4, 204 - 212, 03.04.2013

Svetlana Logar

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of this article is to recognisepsychological problems in children with cerebral palsy and their families aswell as the necessities to provide psychological help without disturbing them.It addresses all areas of functioning of suchchildren and their families, coping mechanisms and the process of adjustment.It highlights the importance of acknowledging disability as a manifestation ofa person's ongoing adaptation to respective special needs, i.e. diverseconsequences of disability that are affecting every individual child regardingeducation, self-dependent life, establishing social roles and adaptation to thecharacteristics of the environment in which affected people are living. Key words: Child, cerebral palsy, family, coping,adjustment

Keywords

Child, cerebral palsy, family, coping, adjustment

References

• Graham Ph, Turk J, Verhulst FC. Child Psychiatry. A Developmental Approach ( 3rd ed). New York: Oxford University Press 1999.
• Raina P, O'Donnell M, Schwellnus H, et al. Caregiving process and caregiver burden: conceptual models to guide research and practice. BMC Pediatr 2004; 4: 1. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471- 2431/4/1 13.11.2009
• Johnson MR, Wilhelm C, Eisert D, Halperin-Phillips DL. Assessment of Children with Motor Impairments. In: Simeonsson JR, Susan L, Rosenthal LS (eds). Psychological and Developmental Assessment: Children with disabilities and chronic conditions. New York: The Guilford Press 2001, pp 141-152.
• Hill-Briggs F, Dial JG, Morere DA, Joyce A. Neuropsychological assessment of persons with physical disability, visual impairment or blindness, and hearing impairment or deafness. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2007; 22: 389-404.
• Clifford T. Transition into School: Experiences of Children with Intellectual Disabilities and their Families: a thesis. Ontario: Queen's University Kingston 2007.
• McDermott S, Coker AL, Mani S, et al. A population- based analysis of behavior problems in children with cerebral palsy. J Pediatr Psychol 1996; 21: 447-463.
• Parkes J, White-Koning M, Dickinson HO, et al. Psychological problems in children with cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional European study. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2008; 49: 405-413.
• Parkes J, White-Koning M, McCullough N, Colver A. Psychological problems in children with hemiplegia: a European multicentre survey. Arch Dis Child 2009; 94: 429-433.
• Yeates KO, Bigler ED, Dennis M, et al. Social outcomes in childhood brain disorder: a heuristic integration of social neuroscience and developmental psychology. Psychol Bull 2007; 133: 535-556.
• Shields N, Loy Y, Murdoch A, Taylor NF, Dodd KJ. Self-concept of children with cerebral palsy compared with that of children without impairment. Dev Med Child Neurol 2007; 49: 350-354.
• Parkes J, McCusker C. Common psychological problems in cerebral palsy. Paediatr Child Health 2008; 18: 427-431.
• Hart A, Blincow D, Thomas H. Resilient Therapy: Working with Children and Families (1st ed). London: Routledge 2007.
• Rosenthal SL, Cohen SS, Simeonsson JR. Assessment of Family Context. In Simeonsson JR, Rosenthal SL (eds). Psychological and Developmental Assessment: Children with disabilities and chronic conditions. New York: The Guilford Press 2001, pp 141-152.
• Sullivan-Bolyai S, Sadler L, Knafl KA, Gilliss CL. Great expectations: a position description for parents as caregivers: Part I. Pediatr Nurs 2003; 29: 457-461.
• Bonner MJ, Hardy KK, Guill AB, McLaughlin C, Schweitzer H, Carter K. Development and Validation of the Parent Experience of Child Illness. J Pediatr Psychol 2006; 31: 310-321.
• Bradford R. Children, Families and Chronic Disease: Psychological Models and Methods of Care. Taylor and Francis e- Libraries 2002.
• Wikler L, Wasow M, Hatfield E. Seeking Strenghts in Families: Developmentally Disabled Children. J Soc Work 1983; 73-77.
• Rumsey N, Harcourt D. Visible difference amongst children and adolescents: issues and interventions. Dev Neurorehabil 2007; 10: 113-123.
• Wagner Jakab A, Cvitković D, Hojanić R. Neke značajke odnosa sestara/braće i osoba s posebnim potrebama. Hrvat rev rehabil istraž 2006; 42: 77-86 (in Croatian).
• Rosenthal SL, Cohen SS, Simeonsson RJ. Assessment of Family Context. In: Simeonsson RJ, Rosenthal SL (eds.), Psychological and Developmental Assessment: Children with disabilities and chronic conditions. New York: The Guilford Press 2001, pp 205-224.
• Horton TV, Wallander JL. Hope and Social Support as Resilience Factors Against Psychological Distress of Mothers Who Care for Children With Chronic Physical Conditions. Rehabil Psychol 2001; 46: 382- 399.
• Hearst D. Can’t they like me as I am? Psychological interventions for children and young people with congenital visible disfigurement. Dev Neurorehabil 2007; 10: 105-112.
• Beyond The Limits: Mothers Caring for Children with Disabilities. Roeher Institute 2000.
• Heiman T. Parents of Children With Disabilities: Resilience, Coping, and Future Expectations. J Dev Phys Disabil 2002; 14.
• Brown O, Howcroft G, Theron T. Resilience in families living with a child diagnosed with hyperactivity/attention deficit disorder: poster. In: International Conference on Coping and Resilience, October, 3-6, 2009. Zagreb: Society for Psychological Assistance 2009; 103-104.