The relationship between physical performance and self‐perception in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy

Abstract

Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of physical disability in children. Children's physical impairment may influence their self-perception. Self-perception, in turn, influences one's quality of life, and occupational therapists aim to enable the child to successfully participate in everyday life to achieve his/her highest potential.This study used a matched-pair design to investigate the relationship of physical skills and self-perception in children with and without spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Eight children with spastic diplegia were matched with eight typically developing children aged 7-14 years. One aim was to explore the differences between the groups in domains of self-competence and in global self-worth as measured by the modified Harter Self-Perception Profile for Children (Harter SPPC). The second aim was to examine the relationship between physical performance and related domain-specific self-competence in children. Finally, a correlation analysis between two self-perception measures (Harter SPPC and Australian Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ)) was undertaken.The rated perceived self-concept of children with cerebral palsy was lower than that of their peers in all domains of the modified Harter SPPC. The results showed a clinically significant lower self-perception in fine motor, gross motor, and athletic competence as well as global self-worth. Positive correlations were found between fine motor skills and perceived fine motor competence; walking ability and both gross motor and athletic competence; and time spent upright and social competence. A negative correlation was found between uptime and scholastic competence. Global self-worth appeared to be influenced by gross and fine motor abilities. These findings were in contrast to the findings of some previous studies, but must be interpreted cautiously because of sample limitations.Because of a restricted data range, only a small positive correlation (r = 0.3) was found between the global self-worth part of the modified Harter SPPC and the self-esteem component of the short form Australian CHQ. This needs further investigation. Thesis Abstract Thesis Abstracts Thesis AbstractsCraft was the first therapeutic occupation of occupational therapy. Since the early days of the profession, the value of craft in practice is a topic that has been discussed with fluctuating interest. Recent discussions by occupational therapists have reinforced that although craft is relevant to occupational therapy, there are uncertainties about its place in contemporary practice. Presently, scholars have identified that

The relationship between physical performance and self‐perception in children with and without cerebral palsy

“…The two domains considered least likely to be related to physical performance were removed (physical appearance; behavioural conduct) and replaced by the domains fine and gross motor skills (see Ziebell (2006) for further details; the modified questionnaire is available from the authors on request). The modified Harter SPPC was administered by the therapist who read each statement out aloud to the child and recorded the child's responses.…”