PhD Scientific Days 2021

MH_I_P: Mental Health Sciences I. Posters

Mapping the life quality of teenagers living with cerebral palsy from a different socio-cultural background

Text of the abstract

Introduction: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of chronic disability that restricts participation in daily life for children. It affects not only the their physical but also their mental and social health status. It affects the quality of life in a complex way.
Aims: Our objectives are to establish the needs of teenagers living with CP, to determine whether there are any differences between the social and cultural involvement, and to map the effect of the socio-cultural environment on behavioral problems and symptoms.
Methods: The researched areas are Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Scandinavian, the United States, and Hungary. The number of participants in the research is expected to be 20 persons/ area (means n=100). We will use four different questionnaires. The CPQOL-Teen questionnaires are performing for: the primary caregiver form; and the teenage self-report form (for children with cerebral palsy aged 13-18 years). We are detecting behavioural and emotional problems in adolescents by using the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment. The socio-cultural questionnaire contains the parents' education, their current job, and their income. Psychometric properties will be validated with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Manual Ability Classification System (MACS).
Result: Expected results of the research are to produce an outcome that appears as a key component in the lives of CPs. It identifies areas of diagnosis-dependent complements that positively affect their quality of life. It will show a holistic picture of a targeted and population-specific trend.
Conclusion: We consider all this necessary to be able to determine difference there is between Hungary and other regions. As soon as we know the individuals’ needs, we will be able to create a strategy to help the teenagers living with CP to reach their goals, create methods to deal with everyday challenges, and have a better quality of life.

University and Doctoral School

Semmelweis University, Doctoral School of Mental Health Sciences