OBJECTIVE: A 14-year follow-up of youth with spina bifida (SB), as compared to a matched comparison sample without a chronic health condition, focused on psychosocial adjustment during emerging adulthood (ages 22-23). METHODS: The initial cohort at time 1 consisted of 68 families with an 8-year-old or 9-year-old child with SB and a matched comparison sample of 68 typically developing children and their families. At the final assessment (time 7), participants included 56 emerging adults with SB (82% of those who participated at time 1) and 62 comparison youth (91% of those who participated at time 1) who completed a set of self-report measures. RESULTS: Emerging adults with SB continue to lag behind across several important developmental milestones, including decision-making responsibility, involvement in social and romantic relationships, sexual intimacy, educational and vocational achievement, financial independence, and engagement in health-related behaviors. However, from a resilience perspective, these individuals also exhibited a number of strengths across the following areas: identity development, quality of social supports, and fewer problem behaviors (e.g., alcohol and other substance use). Most findings were still significant after controlling for a verbal intelligence quotient proxy. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted vulnerabilities and strengths of individuals with SB as they enter emerging adulthood, with considerable continuity across childhood, adolescence, and emerging adulthood.
OBJECTIVE: A 14-year follow-up of youth with spina bifida (SB), as compared to a matched comparison sample without a chronic health condition, focused on psychosocial adjustment during emerging adulthood (ages 22-23). METHODS: The initial cohort at time 1 consisted of 68 families with an 8-year-old or 9-year-old child with SB and a matched comparison sample of 68 typically developing children and their families. At the final assessment (time 7), participants included 56 emerging adults with SB (82% of those who participated at time 1) and 62 comparison youth (91% of those who participated at time 1) who completed a set of self-report measures. RESULTS: Emerging adults with SB continue to lag behind across several important developmental milestones, including decision-making responsibility, involvement in social and romantic relationships, sexual intimacy, educational and vocational achievement, financial independence, and engagement in health-related behaviors. However, from a resilience perspective, these individuals also exhibited a number of strengths across the following areas: identity development, quality of social supports, and fewer problem behaviors (e.g., alcohol and other substance use). Most findings were still significant after controlling for a verbal intelligence quotient proxy. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted vulnerabilities and strengths of individuals with SB as they enter emerging adulthood, with considerable continuity across childhood, adolescence, and emerging adulthood.
Authors: Marjolein Verhoef; Hans A Barf; Jos A Vroege; Marcel W Post; Floris W Van Asbeck; Rob H Gooskens; Arie J Prevo Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2005-05 Impact factor: 3.966
Authors: Christina E Holbein; Kathy Zebracki; Colleen F Bechtel; Jaclyn Lennon Papadakis; Elizabeth Franks Bruno; Grayson N Holmbeck Journal: Dev Med Child Neurol Date: 2016-09-21 Impact factor: 5.449
Authors: Andrew J Copp; N Scott Adzick; Lyn S Chitty; Jack M Fletcher; Grayson N Holmbeck; Gary M Shaw Journal: Nat Rev Dis Primers Date: 2015-04-30 Impact factor: 52.329