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Predictors of Social Relationships for Children with Special Health Care Needs
Cara Sisk1, George Chitiyo1, Ashley Akenson1
1Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN, USA.
Insights
Children with special health care needs often struggle with friendships. Autism and behavior problems significantly increase difficulties in making and keeping friends for these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Sciences
Background:
- Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) face developmental challenges, particularly in peer relationships.
- Social difficulties impact the well-being and integration of CSHCN.
- Understanding predictors of friendship challenges is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors predicting difficulties in making and keeping friends among CSHCN.
- To analyze the influence of specific diagnoses and behavioral issues on social relationships.
Main Methods:
- Correlational study utilizing data from the 2009-2010 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs.
- Binary logistic regression analysis applied to examine predictor variables.
- Secondary analysis to differentiate levels of friendship difficulty.
Main Results:
- Twelve of fourteen predictor variables were statistically significant.
- Children with autism spectrum disorder had 3.06 times higher odds of friendship difficulties.
- Children with behavior problems had 2.87 times higher odds of friendship difficulties.
- The logistic regression model achieved 80.7% correct classification.
Conclusions:
- Autism spectrum disorder and behavior problems are significant predictors of friendship difficulties in CSHCN.
- Identifying these predictors can inform support strategies for CSHCN.
- Further research can explore specific interventions to improve social skills and peer relationships.
Abstract:
Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) experience various developmental challenges including difficulties in social relationships with peers. Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs 2009-2010, this correlational study examined predictors of difficulty making and keeping friends among CSHCN. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the data. Findings indicate statistical significance for 12 out of 14 predictor variables. Key findings indicate the odds of having difficulty making and keeping friends are 3.06 times higher for children with an autism spectrum diagnosis and 2.87 times higher for children with some behavior problem when compared to other CSHCN. Overall, the logistic regression model classified 80.7% of the cases correctly. A secondary analysis also identified factors which significantly differentiate between CSHCN who have a lot of difficulty compared to a little difficulty making and keeping friends. For this analysis, eight variables were statistically significant.
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