Parents' reactions to the diagnosis of cerebral palsy: associations between resolution, age and severity of disability

Background

For parents, receiving a diagnosis, typically in early childhood, that their child has cerebral palsy may conjure up high distress and anxiety. Resolution of these initial reactions may help parents to focus on the challenges and needs of their children. Aims of the study were to test whether parents of older children displayed resolution more often than parents of younger children, and whether parents of children with less severe cerebral palsy also showed more resolution.

Method

Resolution of reactions to diagnosis was assessed with the Reaction to Diagnosis Interview, in a clinic-based sample of 255 parents of children with cerebral palsy aged between 1.4 and 17.3 years. Physicians rated motor ability using the Gross Motor Function Classification System.

Results

Overall, the responses of 81.6% of the parents were predominantly indicative of resolution. Unresolved reactions were significantly more often found among parents of younger children and parents of children with more severe motor disabilities. Among parents of teenage children, resolution was more often apparent from a focus on action to better the lives of their children, whereas in parents of younger children, it was more apparent from their focus on constructive thoughts and information seeking.

Conclusions

Given time, the large majority of parents may resolve their reactions to the diagnosis that their child has cerebral palsy. Parents of the most severely affected children may need specific support which, given the age trends, might be aimed at different resolution processes for parents of younger and older children.