Behavioral adjustment of children with hydrocephalus: relationships with etiology, neurological, and family status.

Examined the relationship of hydrocephalus and behavioral adjustment in three groups of 5- to 7-year-old children (N = 84) with a history of early hydrocephalus (spina bifida, prematurity, aqueductal stenosis) and three non-hydrocephalic comparison groups (spina bifida, prematurity, normals). Results revealed no significant group differences on measures of behavioral adjustment and a variety of family and sociodemographic variables. Children with hydrocephalus were more likely to meet criteria for behavior problems, obtained lower scores on measures of adaptive behavior, and perceived themselves as less physically competent. Categorical modeling analyses showed that hydrocephalus and its treatment, gender, family variables, and motor skills were related to the presence of behavior problems.