• Kjersti Ramstad, Reidun Jahnsen, Ola H Skjeldal, and Trond H Diseth.
• Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Women and Children, Oslo University Hospital, Norway. kjersti.ramstad@ous-hf.no
• Disabil Rehabil. 2012 Jan 1;34(19):1589-95.

PurposeTo extend knowledge on mental health with children's self-report and explore mental health and health related quality of life (HRQL) in a context of recurrent musculoskeletal pain in cerebral palsy (CP).MethodEighty-three participants, mean age 14.2 ± 2.8 years, were assessed with clinical examination, interview and questionnaires. Gross motor function was GMFCS level I 42%, level II 42%, level III 12% and level IV-V 5%. Children self-reported mental health on SDQ (Strengths and Difficulty Questionnaire), HRQL on PedsQL (Pediatric Quality of Life), and pain on CHQ (Child Health Questionnaire). Mothers proxy-reported on the same questionnaires and reported own mental health on GHQ (General Health Questionnaire).ResultsBoth self-reported mental health and HRQL was better than proxy-reported. Recurrent musculoskeletal pain was associated with more mental health problems and reduced HRQL in self-reports, but not in proxy-reports.ConclusionsIn CP, the importance of child-report on mental health and HRQL when possible, in addition to parent proxy-report, cannot be overstated. Close co-operation between (re)habilitation and child psychiatry is urgent. Further research on self-reported mental health and impact of mental health problems is warranted together with a focus on the impact of recurrent musculoskeletal pain on participation.

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