Article

PURPOSE: To extend knowledge on mental health with children's self-report and
explore mental health and health related quality of life (HRQL) in a context of
recurrent musculoskeletal pain in cerebral palsy (CP).
METHOD: Eighty-three
participants, mean age 14.2 +/- 2.8 years, were assessed with clinical
examination, interview and questionnaires. Gross motor function was GMFCS level I
42%, level II 42%, level III 12% and level IV-V 5%. Children self-reported mental
health on SDQ (Strengths and Difficulty Questionnaire), HRQL on PedsQL (Pediatric
Quality of Life), and pain on CHQ (Child Health Questionnaire). Mothers
proxy-reported on the same questionnaires and reported own mental health on GHQ
(General Health Questionnaire). RESULTS: Both self-reported mental health and
HRQL was better than proxy-reported. Recurrent musculoskeletal pain was
associated with more mental health problems and reduced HRQL in self-reports, but
not in proxy-reports. CONCLUSIONS: In CP, the importance of child-report on
mental health and HRQL when possible, in addition to parent proxy-report, cannot
be overstated. Close co-operation between (re)habilitation and child psychiatry
is urgent. Further research on self-reported mental health and impact of mental
health problems is warranted together with a focus on the impact of recurrent
musculoskeletal pain on participation.

Langue : ANGLAIS