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. 2012 Aug;37(7):713-24.
doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsr124. Epub 2012 Feb 21.

Social-emotional functioning of children and adolescents with neurofibromatosis type 1 and plexiform neurofibromas: relationships with cognitive, disease, and environmental variables

Staci Martin  1 , Pamela Wolters, Andrea Baldwin, Andrea Gillespie, Eva Dombi, Katherine Walker, Brigitte Widemann
Affiliations

Social-emotional functioning of children and adolescents with neurofibromatosis type 1 and plexiform neurofibromas: relationships with cognitive, disease, and environmental variables

Staci Martin et al. J Pediatr Psychol. 2012 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to determine how cognitive, disease, and environmental variables relate to social-emotional functioning in youth with NF1 and plexiform neurofibromas.

Methods: Psychological assessments were administered to 53 children (mean age 12.4 years); parents and teachers completed the behavior assessment system for children-second edition (BASC-2). Disease severity was quantified by nurse-practitioner ratings and tumor burden, and parents completed a life events checklist to indicate environmental stressors.

Results: Notable proportions of children scored in the at-risk/clinically significant ranges on several parent and teacher BASC-2 subscales including somatization, attention problems, depression, and withdrawal. Combinations of cognitive, disease, and environmental variables predicted scores on parent BASC-2 internalizing problems, behavior symptoms index, and Adaptive Skills composites.

Conclusions: Cognitive, disease, and environmental variables relate to social-emotional outcomes in children with NF1. These youth may benefit from interventions targeting social skills, cognitive functioning, and adaptive ways of coping with NF1-related pain.

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