Investigation of the relations between activity and participation levels, social skills and behavior levels of children with cerebral palsy in preschool period and parental attitudes and anxiety levels

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the attitudes and anxiety levels of parents of preschool children with cerebral palsy (CP) and their children's activity and participation levels, social skills and behaviours. The study included 66 children with CP aged 3-6 years and their parents. Gross motor function level (Gross Motor Function Classification System-GMFCS), fine motor function level (Manual ability classification system-MACS), communication function level (Communication Function Classification System-CFSS) and functional levels of children with CP were determined. Gross motor activity level of the children was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), fine motor activity level was assessed by the Upper Extremity Skill Quality Test (QUEST), participation level by the Child and Adolescent Participation Questionnaire (CASP), daily living participation and activity level by the Pediatric Disability Evaluation Inventory (PEDI), and social skills and behaviour levels by the Kindergarten and Preschool Behaviour Scale (PKBS). The attitudes of the parents were evaluated by the Parental Attitude Scale (PAS) and anxiety levels by the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). Consequently, relationships were found between parental attitudes and children's gross and fine motor activity levels total scores (p=0.001 r=-0.403, r=-0.392, respectively); between participation and daily life participation and activities (p<0.001 r=-0.607, p=0.002 r=-0.380, respectively); and between children's social skills and behaviours (p<0.001 r=-0.449). There was no relationship between parents' anxiety levels and children's fine and gross motor activity levels (p=0,268, p=0,215, respectively) and social skills and behaviours (p=0,030 r=-0,268), but there was a relationship between total participation level (p=0,005, r=-0,307). With the result that parental attitudes and anxiety had an effect on children's activity and participation levels and social skills and behaviours in preschool period children with CP, it was thought that the importance of the mental states of the parents and the attitudes they exhibited was drawn attention and that it would create awareness for the rehabilitation team and families in this regard.