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Published on: January 11, 2016
Predictors of needs for families of children with cerebral palsy
Nihad A Almasri1, Margaret O'Neil, Robert J Palisano
1Physical Therapy Department, Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty, The University of Jordan , Amman , Jordan and.
Insights
Limited child motor function increases needs for families of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Family-centered services act as a protective factor, reducing the need for community, financial, and family support resources.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Family Support Services
- Childhood Neurological Disorders
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) affects motor function and necessitates comprehensive services.
- Families of children with CP often face significant needs for community, financial, and social support.
- Understanding predictors of these needs is crucial for effective service coordination.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify risk and protective factors influencing resource and service needs for families of children with CP.
- Examine predictors of community, financial, and family support needs.
- Discuss implications for coordinating medical, rehabilitation, and community services.
Main Methods:
- Secondary data analysis of a national dataset (n=441) of mothers of children with CP.
- Logistic regression models used to assess child, family, and service characteristics.
- Children's ages averaged 10.7 years, with varied Gross Motor Function Classification System levels.
Main Results:
- Limited child gross motor function emerged as a significant risk factor for unmet needs (OR: 1.30-1.70).
- Perception of family-centered services (FCS) acted as a protective factor, reducing needs (OR: 0.57-0.63).
- Mothers reporting strong family relationships and need-oriented FCS perceived fewer resource needs.
Conclusions:
- Child's mobility and perceived family-centered care influence family resource needs in cerebral palsy.
- Family relationships and service orientation are key protective factors.
- Findings inform service providers on optimizing support for families of children with CP.
Background:
This study examined child, family and service characteristics that are predictors of family needs for community, financial, family support and services needs for families of children with cerebral palsy (CP). CP is a non-progressive neurological condition caused by lesions in the central nervous system resulting in limitations in motor function and associated co-morbid conditions. Children with CP often require multiple health, rehabilitation, and community services.
Purpose:
To identify risk and protective factors among predictors of needed resources and services (i.e. community, financial, family support) and to discuss implications for coordination of medical, rehabilitation, and community services for children with CP and their families.
Methods:
Secondary data analysis was conducted with a national dataset (n = 441) of mothers of children with CP. The average age of children was 10.7 years (SD = 4.5) and was distributed across the various Gross Motor Function Classification System levels. Four logistic regression models were conducted to examine predictive power of child, family and current service characteristics on needed resources and services.
Results:
Limited child gross motor function was a risk factor (odds ratio (OR): 1.30-1.70) while perception of family-centered services (FCS) was a protective factor (OR: 0.57-0.63) in having the needs met.
Conclusion:
Mothers of children with CP who are able to walk, reported strong family relationships, and perceived need-oriented and FCS expressed less needs for community, financial, family support and services' resources needs. Implications for service providers are provided.
