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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Beverly A. Mulvihill, PhD¹, Francis A. Obuseh, MS, MPH¹, and Julie Preskitt, MPH². (1) Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Ryals Public Health Building 320, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205-0022, (205) 934-7161, bmulvihi@uab.edu, (2) Childrens Rehabilitation Service, Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, 2129 E. South Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36111-0586

Purpose: Previous work identified differences in parent's and youth's perceptions of disability and its effects on the youth. This study examined differences in responses to a survey of YSHCN by who completed the survey (parent or youth). Methods: Statewide 650 surveys were distributed at clinics and by mail; 229 were returned (35%). The instrument consisted of 18 questions and targeted YSHCN (12-21 yrs). Preliminary analysis using frequencies and chi-square procedures explored whether the responses of youth who completed the survey without help and youth who had help completing it differed, particularly in regard to future plans. Results: Among the respondents 54% reported they received help, usually from a parent, to complete the survey. There were significant differences between those who received help and those who did not. More youth who received assistance had more than two conditions (p=<.001) and expected to live with their families in the future(p=<.01); fewer expected to have children (p=<.001), to marry, to complete college (p=<.001) or go to grad school (p=<.05), or to work for pay (p=<.01), and fewer viewed their level of social activity as very or somewhat active and more as not very active or having none (p=<.01). Conclusions: There were strong and highly significant differences between the youth who had help and those who did not have help completing the survey. Receiving help from the parent may be a proxy for severity of condition or it may reflect the parent's view of the youth's independence and ability to speak for him/her self.

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