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Functioning, participation, and quality of life in children with intellectual disability: an observational study
Author(s) -
Williams Katrina,
Jacoby Peter,
Whitehouse Andrew,
Kim Rachel,
Epstein Amy,
Murphy Nada,
Reid Sue,
Leonard Helen,
Reddihough Dinah,
Downs Jenny
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/dmcn.14657
Subject(s) - cerebral palsy , quality of life (healthcare) , intellectual disability , psychology , mediation , autism spectrum disorder , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , social engagement , autism , psychiatry , psychotherapist , social science , sociology , political science , law
Aims To investigate associations between functioning, community participation, and quality of life (QoL) and identify whether participation mediates the effects of functioning on QoL. Method The caregivers of 435 children (211 females, 224 males; mean age 12y; SD 3y 11mo; age range 5–18y) with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or Rett syndrome reported on their child’s functioning (dependence for managing personal needs, mobility, communication, eye contact when speaking), frequency of participation, and QoL. Linear regression and mediation analyses were used to evaluate the relationships between child functioning, participation, and QoL. Results Children with greater dependency for managing personal needs and limited eye contact when speaking experienced poorer QoL. Less impaired functioning was associated with more frequent participation, which, in turn, was associated with a 3‐point gain in QoL for each additional point in frequency of participation (coefficient=2.67, 95% confidence interval 1.56–3.78). The effect of impaired functioning on QoL was partially mediated by participation in children with greater dependency in managing personal needs and those with mildly impaired communication. Interpretation Greater levels of impairments with poorer functioning, notably a high level of dependence, were associated with poorer QoL. Poorer QoL can be partly explained by less frequent community participation.