The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #58697

Joseph Bortolussi, MSW¹, Catherine Steele, PhD², Jeffrey Jutai, PhD³, Ilze V. Kalnins, PhD⁴, and Beth Rossen, MSc². (1) Neurodevelopmental Program, Bloorview Macmillan Children's Centre, 350 Rumsey Road, Toronto, ON M4G 1R8, Canada, 416-424-3855 ext 3578, jbortolussi@bloorviewmacmillan.on.ca, (2) Research Department, Bloorview MacMillan Children's Centre, 350 Rumsey Road, Toronto, ON M4G 1R8, Canada, (3) School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario, Elborn College, London, ON N6G 1H1, Canada, (4) Behavioural Sciences, University of Toronto, King College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada

The information presented in this presentation will be pertinent to all professionals who are striving to develop and evaluate the best programs to foster healthy lifestyles and adaptations for youth with physical disabilities. We will present the results of two large-scale surveys, as well as information from representative focus groups commenting on the survey findings. The studies obtained information from adolescents (11-16 years) and young adults (19-35 years) with physical disabilities. The surveys, based on the WHO Cross-National study, collected data on health risk behaviours (e.g. smoking, drinking, diet, physical activity) and psychosocial factors (e.g. self-esteem, helplessness, happiness). Some of the key results from our analyses indicate that adults with physical disabilities, compared to adolescents with physical disabilities, drink more alcohol and exercise less often. With regard to psychological factors, the data revealed a number of significant differences. For example, 45% of adults versus 29% of adolescents felt helpless, 24% of adults felt very or quite lonely as opposed to 15% of adolescents, and only 25% of adults versus 49% of adolescents were very happy about their life. It was also found that an increase in the degree of severity of disability, as measured by assistance required to carry out activities of daily living, corresponded to an increase in health risk. These findings suggest that there are important differences in health risk profiles between adolescents and adults who have physical disabilities. There is a need for better programs to promote, foster and sustain a healthy transition to adulthood for those individuals with physical disabilities, especially those with a greater degree of severity of disability.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants in this session will learn the latest results from survey studies of factors associated with healthy transition into adulthood for young people with physical disabilities. They will also learn how the research findings can be applied to the design and implementation of effective programs and services for this population. As a result of this session, participants will be able to identify opportunties for improving health promotion services for youth with phsyical disabilities. They will be able to list at least five components of an effective program or service.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Bloorview MacMillan Children's Centre University of Western Ontario University of Toronto
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.