Objectives: To investigate self-esteem, self-concept and quality of life in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP) compared with typically developing peers.
Study design: Cross-sectional evaluation of 86 children (3-16 years; 54 boys; mean age 9.4 +/- 3.7 years) with HCP and age and sex-matched peers. Self-esteem/concept was measured with the Self-Perception Profile for Children (age 8-16; n = 55 pairs) and the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children (age 3-7 years; n = 31 pairs). Quality of life was measured with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, version 4.
Results: Significant differences in mean scores ([95%CI] P < .05) favoring the peer group were found for physical competence (HCP 2.8 [2.5, 3.0]; peer 3.2 [3.1, 3.3]), athletic competence (HCP 2.7 [2.5, 2.9]; peer 3.1 [3.0, 3.3]), and scholastic competence (HCP 2.8 [2.6, 3.0]; peer 3.1 [3.0, 3.3]), but favored children with HCP for maternal acceptance (HCP 3.1 [2.9, 3.3]; peer 2.7 [2.5, 3.0]). Quality of life was significantly higher for the peer group for both parent (HCP 54.5 [51.1, 58.0]; peer 80.6 [78.3, 82.9]) and child (HCP 67.6 [62.7, 72.6]; peer 80.6 [78.1, 83.1]) scales.
Conclusions: Children with HCP experience reduced quality of life and self-concept compared with typically developing peers.