Social participation of children and youth with acquired brain injuries discharged from inpatient rehabilitation: a follow-up study.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

To determine the nature and extent of participation in home, school and community life in children and youth with acquired brain injuries (ABI) and identify factors associated with their participation.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Measures of participation, environment and child factors were completed by family caregivers. Data were obtained on 60 children and youth with acquired brain injuries up to 6.7 years post-discharge from one inpatient rehabilitation programme in the USA. Descriptive, correlation and regression analyses were conducted.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

Children were most restricted in peer social-play, structured community activities and managing daily routines. Eighty-two per cent of the variance accounted for in participation scores was explained by discharge self-care and post-discharge child and environmental factor scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that greater efforts are needed to address social participation in children and youth with ABI. Information about functional activity at discharge and child and environmental factors may provide insight into post-discharge levels of participation and service needs.