Trajectories of Self-Management and Independence in Youth with Spina Bifida: Demographic Predictors of Growth. Journal Article

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Authors: Ridosh, MM; Adams, W; Magaña, F; Sawin, KJ; Holmbeck, GN
Article Title: Trajectories of Self-Management and Independence in Youth with Spina Bifida: Demographic Predictors of Growth.
Abstract: PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the trajectories of condition and independent living self-management in youth with spina bifida. METHODS: A diverse sample of adolescents and young adults (AYA) with spina bifida (SB) completed the Adolescent/Young Adult Self-Management and Independence Scale (AMIS-II) across 4 time points. Parents reported on demographic characteristics including age, sex, race/ethnicity, and family income. Growth in self-management and its subscales (condition and independent living) were estimated using linear mixed effects models as a function of respondents' demographics. RESULTS: This study included 99 respondents age 18 to 27 years old. About half were female (52.5%) and White (52.5%); 15.2% were Black, and about a third were Hispanic/Latino (32.3%). Eighty-seven AYAs (87.9%) had myelomeningocele. The lesion level was 31.3% sacral, 48.5% lumbar, and 18.2% thoracic. A third of the families earned less than 50K. Overall, self-management growth was dependent on age, sex, and race/ethnicity, but not income. Growth in condition self-management depended on sex; only males demonstrated increasing growth (= 0.11, p .001). Black participants endorsed higher increasing total and condition self-management when compared to White ( = 0.17 and 0.17, respectively, both p .05) and Hispanic/Latino ( = 0.18 and 0.21, respectively, both p = .02) respondents. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence of differences in growth of self-management by demographic/social determinants of health. Possible reasons for differences are discussed. Predictors of changes in self-management behaviors over time in young adults with spina bifida can identify subgroups in need of further study.
Journal Title: Child: care, health and development
Publisher: Unknown  
Date Published: 2022