Mental health difficulties in cerebral palsy: A qualitative study of young people's and parents' perspectives

IF 3.7 2区医学 Q1 CLINICAL NEUROLOGY

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology Pub Date : 2026-10-08 Epub Date: 2026-03-04 DOI:10.1111/dmcn.70229

Manjula Manikandan, Jennifer Fortune, Jessica Burke, Aisling Walsh, Aoife Twohig, Ian McClelland, Amanda Breen, Meriel Norris, Jennifer M. Ryan, RELATE-CP study team

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Aim

To explore the experiences of mental health difficulties and access to mental health support among young people with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

We used a qualitative descriptive design. Participants were young people with CP aged 13 to 25 years and parents of children with CP (6–25 years). Nineteen semi-structured interviews were conducted. A narrative thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes related to their mental health experiences.

Results

Four themes were identified from the data: (1) understanding manifestations of mental health, triggers, and the importance of early intervention; (2) structural and human challenges in accessing mental health services; (3) the interplay between mental health and personal, social, educational, and familial challenges; (4) navigating future aspirations and holistic mental health support.

Interpretation

People with CP face complex, interconnected challenges to their mental health, influenced by personal, family, social, and systemic factors. Mental health difficulties often go unrecognized or are inadequately addressed, highlighting the need for early identification, integrated service provision, and holistic, person-centred interventions that support young people and their families.

查看原文本刊更多论文

脑瘫患者的心理健康困难：青少年和家长观点的质性研究。

目的：探讨青年脑瘫患者的心理健康困难经历及获得心理健康支持的途径。方法：采用定性描述设计。参与者是年龄在13到25岁之间的患有CP的年轻人和患有CP的儿童（6-25岁）的父母。共进行了19次半结构化访谈。进行了一项叙事主题分析，以确定与他们的心理健康经历相关的主题。结果：从数据中确定了四个主题：(1)了解心理健康的表现、触发因素和早期干预的重要性；(2)获得精神卫生服务方面的结构性挑战和人的挑战；(3)心理健康与个人、社会、教育和家庭挑战之间的相互作用；(4)引导未来的愿望和全面的心理健康支持。解释：CP患者面临着复杂的、相互关联的心理健康挑战，受到个人、家庭、社会和系统因素的影响。心理健康问题往往得不到承认或处理不当，因此需要及早发现、提供综合服务以及支持青年人及其家庭的以人为本的全面干预措施。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 医学-临床神经学

CiteScore

7.80

自引率

13.20%

发文量

338

审稿时长

3-6 weeks

期刊介绍： Wiley-Blackwell is pleased to publish Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology (DMCN), a Mac Keith Press publication and official journal of the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) and the British Paediatric Neurology Association (BPNA). For over 50 years, DMCN has defined the field of paediatric neurology and neurodisability and is one of the world’s leading journals in the whole field of paediatrics. DMCN disseminates a range of information worldwide to improve the lives of disabled children and their families. The high quality of published articles is maintained by expert review, including independent statistical assessment, before acceptance.