Lennon JM, Klages KL, Amaro CM, Murray CB, Holmbeck GN. (2015) Longitudinal study of neuropsychological functioning and internalizing symptoms in youth with spina bifida: social competence as a mediator.

J Pediatr Psychol. 2015 Apr;40(3):336-48. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsu075.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the longitudinal relationship between neuropsychological functioning and internalizing symptoms, as mediated by social competence in youth with spina bifida (SB).

METHODS:

A total of 111 youth (aged 8-15 years, M = 11.37) with SB, their parents, and teachers completed questionnaires regarding attention, social competence, and internalizing symptoms. Youth also completed a battery of neuropsychological tests.

RESULTS:

An indirect-only mediation model revealed that social competence mediated the relation between neuropsychological functioning and subsequent levels of teacher-reported internalizing symptoms, but not parent or youth report of internalizing symptoms. Specifically, better neuropsychological functioning was associated with better social competence, which, in turn, predicted fewer internalizing symptoms 2 years later.

CONCLUSIONS:

Youth with SB with lower levels of neuropsychological functioning may be at risk for poorer social competence and, as a result, greater internalizing symptoms. Interventions that promote social competence, while being sensitive to cognitive capacities, could potentially alleviate or prevent internalizing symptoms in these youth.
© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

KEYWORDS:

internalizing symptoms; neuropsychological functioning; social competence; spina bifida

Observed differences in social behaviors exhibited in peer interactions between youth with spina bifida and their peers: neuropsychological correlates.

Holbein CE, Lennon JM, Kolbuck VD, Zebracki K, Roache CR, Holmbeck GN. (2015) Observed differences in social behaviors exhibited in peer interactions between youth with spina bifida and their peers: neuropsychological correlates.

J Pediatr Psychol. 2015 Apr;40(3):320-35. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsu101.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To identify differences in social behaviors in observed peer interactions between children with spina bifida (SB) and peers, and to examine neuropsychological correlates of these differences.

METHOD:

A total of 100 youth (aged 8-15 years) with SB and peers participated in video-recorded interaction tasks, which were coded for interaction style, affect, and collaboration. Children with SB also completed a neuropsychological test battery.

RESULTS:

Children with SB demonstrated less adaptive social behaviors in peer interactions, particularly within the interaction style domain. Observational items found to be different between children with SB and their peers were best predicted by social language and attention abilities.

CONCLUSIONS:

Children with SB exhibit a less adaptive interaction style and lower levels of social dominance but are comparable with typically developing peers on other social behaviors. The observed group differences may have a neuropsychological basis.
© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

KEYWORDS:

neuropsychological functioning; observational methods; peer relationships; social competence; spina bifida

Executive functioning and psychological adjustment in children and youth with spina bifida.

Kelly NC, Ammerman RT, Rausch JR, Ris MD, Yeates KO, Oppenheimer SG, Enrile BG. (2011) Executive functioning and psychological adjustment in children and youth with spina bifida. Child Neuropsychol. 2011 Oct 3.


Children and adolescents with spina bifida are at risk for poor neuropsychological functioning and psychological outcomes. The relationship between executive functioning and psychological adjustment is an area worthy of investigation in this population. The current study assessed executive functioning and psychological outcomes in a group of children and adolescents with spina bifida (SBM) (n = 51) and nondisabled controls (n = 45). A mediation model was hypothesized, such that Metacognition, as measured by the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), mediated the relationship between group status (spina bifida versus nondisabled controls) and psychological outcomes. Results indicated that metacognitive skills fully explained the relationship between group and internalizing and depressive symptoms as reported by mothers. In particular, specific components of the BRIEF Metacognition composite were most responsible for this relationship, including Initiate, Working Memory, and Plan/Organize. The study limitations include its cross-sectional nature that precludes drawing conclusions about causality. The results have implications for treatment interventions for children and adolescents with spina bifida and typically developing individuals.

PMID: 21961993

Academic, Physical, and Social Functioning of Children and Adolescents With Chronic Physical Illness: A Meta-analysis.

Pinquart M, Teubert D. (2011) Academic, Physical, and Social Functioning of Children and Adolescents With Chronic Physical Illness: A Meta-analysis.
J Pediatr Psychol. 2011 Dec 15.

OBJECTIVE:

We compared the levels of academic, physical, and social functioning of children and adolescents with chronic physical diseases with those of healthy peers or test norms.
METHODS:

A random effects meta-analysis was computed to integrate the results of 954 studies.
RESULTS:

Impairments of physical functioning (g = 0.82 standard deviation units) were stronger than impairments of academic (g = 0.53) and social functioning (g = 0.43). Children with cerebral palsy and spina bifida showed the largest levels of functional impairments. The levels of functional impairments also varied by year of publication, source of information, ethnicity, country, and sociodemographic equivalence of the compared groups.
CONCLUSIONS:

More efforts are needed to develop and implement measures for the prevention of impaired functioning of children and adolescents with chronic physical illness and for the reduction of already existing impairments of their functioning.



PMID: 22173882

Mobility, assistive technology use, and social integration among adults with spina bifida.

Dicianno BE, Gaines A, Collins DM, Lee S. (2009) Mobility, assistive technology use, and social integration among adults with spina bifida. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Jul;88(7):533-41.

Human Engineering Research Laboratories, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

OBJECTIVE: Many individuals with spina bifida have impairments that limit mobility and functional independence. Sedentary lifestyles and social isolation are very prevalent. This study evaluated the association between the use of mobility devices and degree of socialization.

DESIGN: A retrospective chart review was performed on 208 adults with spina bifida attending a university-based clinic. Data collected included the Craig Handicap Assessment Reporting Technique-Short Form, Beck Depression Inventory, and data on wheelchair and other assistive technology use. We hypothesized that community and home mobility and social integration, as measured by the Craig Handicap Assessment Reporting Technique-Short Form, would be lower for manual and power wheelchair users than for ambulators, regardless of depression scores or shunt history.

RESULTS: We found that individuals with spina bifida who used both manual and power wheelchairs do have lower daily home and community activity levels compared with ambulators, but that most individuals with spina bifida have low social integration and economic self-sufficiency scores, regardless of whether they can ambulate or use wheelchairs. These findings were not explained by wheelchair quality because most were prescribed high-quality devices. A high prevalence of depression was also found.

CONCLUSIONS: Special considerations for wheelchair provision are discussed. Additional research is needed to identify other barriers to social integration.

PMID: 19542778