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Profiles Of Neuropsychological Functioning In Children And Adolescents With Spina Bifida: Associations With Biopsychosocial Predictors And Functional Outcomes, Grayson N. Holmbeck, Rachel M. Wasserman

Psychology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

The current study examined neuropsychological performance among children with spina bifida (SB) to determine biological and functional correlates of distinct “profiles” of cognitive functioning. Methods: A total of 95 children with SB myelomeningocele (ages, 8–15 years) completed a neuropsychological assessment battery. Hierarchical and non-hierarchical cluster analyses were used to identify and confirm a cluster solution. Hypothesized predictors of cluster membership included lesion level, number of shunt surgeries, history of seizures, age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and family stress. Outcomes included independence, academic success, expectations for the future, and quality of life. Results: Ward’s cluster method indicated a three-cluster solution, and was …