Abstract
Recent research has shown a growing interest in the assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents
with chronic health conditions as a subjective health outcome. However, HRQol in the pediatric population with cerebral palsy
(CP) is still understudied, with scarce research assessing self-reported HRQoL and its links with other psychological variables.
The present research examined self-reported HRQoL in 64 Portuguese children and adolescents with CP. Results showed that higher
HRQoL (generic and specific to chronic health conditions) was significantly related to lower levels of psychopathological
symptoms, higher levels of prosocial behavior and a lower need for social activities. Gender moderated the link between prosocial
behavior and HRQoL (specific to chronic conditions), which was significant for girls but not for boys. Finally, the need for
social activities mediated the associations between psychopathology symptoms and both measures of HRQoL.
with chronic health conditions as a subjective health outcome. However, HRQol in the pediatric population with cerebral palsy
(CP) is still understudied, with scarce research assessing self-reported HRQoL and its links with other psychological variables.
The present research examined self-reported HRQoL in 64 Portuguese children and adolescents with CP. Results showed that higher
HRQoL (generic and specific to chronic health conditions) was significantly related to lower levels of psychopathological
symptoms, higher levels of prosocial behavior and a lower need for social activities. Gender moderated the link between prosocial
behavior and HRQoL (specific to chronic conditions), which was significant for girls but not for boys. Finally, the need for
social activities mediated the associations between psychopathology symptoms and both measures of HRQoL.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-16
- DOI 10.1007/s10882-011-9265-x
- Authors
- Roberta Frontini, Institute of Cognitive Psychology – Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Rua do Colégio Novo Apartado 6153, Coimbra, 3001–802 Portugal
- Carla Crespo, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Carlos Carona, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Maria Cristina Canavarro, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Journal Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities
- Online ISSN 1573-3580
- Print ISSN 1056-263X