Correlates of Mental Health in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the MyStory Project

It is important to gain a better understanding of mental health issues in adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cerebral palsy (CP). In this cross-sectional study, we explore if demographics, social and clinical questionnaire scores, and cortisol levels in hair samples from AYA with CP are associa...

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Published inJournal of clinical medicine Vol. 11; no. 11; p. 3060
Main Authors Gorter, Jan Willem, Fehlings, Darcy, Ferro, Mark A, Gonzalez, Andrea, Green, Amanda D, Hopmans, Sarah N, McCauley, Dayle, Palisano, Robert J, Rosenbaum, Peter, Speller, Brittany, On Behalf Of The MyStory Study Group
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Switzerland MDPI AG 29.05.2022
MDPI
Subjects
adolescence
Anxiety
Cerebral palsy
Cross-sectional studies
depression
mental health
Teenagers
Young adults
adolescence
cerebral palsy
anxiety
depression
mental health
young adults
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Summary:It is important to gain a better understanding of mental health issues in adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cerebral palsy (CP). In this cross-sectional study, we explore if demographics, social and clinical questionnaire scores, and cortisol levels in hair samples from AYA with CP are associated with higher scores on anxiety and/or depression questionnaires. Data from a community-based sample of 63 AYA with CP (30 females; ages 16 to 30 (median age of 25)) were analyzed. Forty-one (65%) participants (20 females) provided a hair sample. Outcomes were assessed using bivariate linear regression analyses and hierarchical regression analyses. Clinical depressive and anxiety symptoms were present in 33% and 31% of participants, respectively. Family functioning, B = 9.62 (95%CI: 5.49-13.74), fatigue, B = 0.15 (95%CI: 0.05-0.25), and pain, B = 1.53 (95%CI: 0.48-2.58) were statistically significant predictors of depressive symptoms. Fatigue, B = 0.24 (95%CI: 0.12-0.35) and pain, B = 1.63 (95%CI: 0.33-2.94) were statistically significant predictors of anxiety. Cortisol levels from hair samples were not found to be associated with depressive symptoms or anxiety. A high prevalence of mental health problems and co-occurring physical problems was found in AYA with CP. Integrating mental support into regular care for AYA with CP is recommended.
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Membership of the MyStory Study Group is mentioned in the Acknowledgments.
ISSN:2077-0383
2077-0383
DOI:10.3390/jcm11113060