Predicting leisure participation of school-aged children with cerebral palsy: Longitudinal evidence of child, family and environmental factors

Objective This longitudinal study aims to determine which child, family and environmental variables measured at 2 years of age predict leisure participation in formal and informal activities in school aged children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods Parents of 46 children with CP (mean age at baseline: 2 years 6 months, SD 0 years 1 month; at follow-up 6 years 7 months, SD 0 years 9 months; n=26 boys, n=20 girls; Gross Motor Classification System I=30%, II=7%, III=28%, IV=24%, V=11%) completed the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment indicating their child's participation. Multivariate regression models were used to identify early predictors of participation. Results Movement ability was a significant child-related predictor for formal activities (R² 17%, P<0.05). Movement ability and social skills were most predictive (R² 62%, P<0.00) for informal activities. The feeling of being restricted in family participation was the single most predictive factor for formal and informal activities at family level (R² 12%, P<0.05, R² 25%, P<0.05). Type of daycare was the only environmental variable that was predictive, and only for informal activities (R² 16%, P<0.05). In the overall model movement ability was most predictive for leisure participation in formal activities (R² 17%, P<0.05). Movement ability and social skills are the most important predictors for informal leisure participation (R² 62%, P<0.01). Conclusions Several variables are found to be related to formal and informal participation at age 6. Movement ability and social skills at age 2 are most predictive of leisure participation when the child is 6 years old. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.