Research Paper: Effect of Child Factors on Parental Attitude Toward Children and Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy in Iran

Objectives: To determine the role of child factors in the prediction of parental attitudes toward children and adolescents with CP in Iran. Methods: The cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 152 children and adolescents with CP aged 7-17 years (Mean±SD = 10.93±3.46) with a mother aged at least 25 years were selected, using a systematic random sampling method. The Mother-Child Relationship Evaluation questionnaire was used to assess the parental attitude. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine the predictive role of child factors (eg, age, gender, type of CP, dependency in gross and fine motor functions, and IQ) in parental attitudes. Results: Overindulgence and overprotection attitudes were the most common attitudes among mothers. The acceptance attitude was best predicted by the type of CP (r2=0.151). Diplegia, being fully dependent in gross motor functions, and adolescence predicted greater overprotection attitude (r2=0.101). Girls were predicted to be treated more overindulgent (r2=0.045). Femininity predicted lesser rejection attitude while being fully dependent in fine motor functions predicted greater rejection attitude (r2=0.006). Discussion: Child factors influence only a small proportion of parental attitudes toward children and adolescents with CP. Contrary to expectation, child factors, including the child’s disability status, are not the most prominent determinants of the parental attitudes toward children and adolescents with CP in Iran.