Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42168953›Full record

ArticleBMC psychiatry2026

The prevalence of mental health difficulties and mental disorders among children with cerebral palsy.

Manjula Manikandan, Claire Kerr, Jennifer Fortune, Reuel Jalal, Aisling Walsh, Aoife Twohig, Ian McClelland, Jessica Burke, Kimberley J Smith, Mary Cannon and 3 more

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in BMC psychiatry, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Manjula ManikandanCP-Life Research Centre, School of Physiotherapy, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Lower Mercer Street, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland. manikandanmanjula@rcsi.com.
Claire KerrSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
Jennifer FortuneCP-Life Research Centre, School of Physiotherapy, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Lower Mercer Street, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland.
Reuel JalalCP-Life Research Centre, School of Physiotherapy, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Lower Mercer Street, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland.
Aisling WalshDepartment of Public Health and Epidemiology, Royal University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.
Aoife TwohigCentral Remedial Clinic, Dublin, Ireland.
Ian McClellandSt Vincent's Hospital, Fairview, Dublin, Ireland.
Jessica BurkeCP-Life Research Centre, School of Physiotherapy, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Lower Mercer Street, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland.
Kimberley J SmithSchool of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guilford, England, UK.
Mary CannonDepartment of Psychiatry, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.
Michael WalshCentral Remedial Clinic, Dublin, Ireland.
Ruth KevlinCentral Remedial Clinic, Dublin, Ireland.
Jennifer M RyanCP-Life Research Centre, School of Physiotherapy, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Lower Mercer Street, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland.

Funding

This project was funded by the Health Research Board Ireland (HRCI-HRB-2022-009) via the Health Research Charities Ireland, Health Research Board and Central remedial Clinic Joint Funding Scheme 2022. HRCI-HRB-2022-009
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimTo investigate prevalence of mental health difficulties and mental disorders among children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Ireland, and identify associated risk factors.

methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted with participants aged 6-17 years with CP. Data were collected via a survey that included demographics, CP characteristics, psychopathology (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)), mental disorders, physical well-being, and social factors. Linear and logistic regression were used to explore associations between risk factors and mental health outcomes.

results330 participants completed the survey. The mean (SD) SDQ total difficulties score was 13.4 (6.6), with 29% of participants being at risk for emotional and behavioural problems and 21% diagnosed with at least one mental disorder, of which anxiety was the most prevalent (14%). Higher SDQ total difficulties scores were associated with intellectual disability, poor sleep, challenges in forming friendships, bullying, and family dysfunction (p < 0.05). Female participants and those with low physical activity participation were more likely to experience mental disorders (p < 0.05).

interpretationThese findings highlight the multiple health and social factors associated with mental health difficulties emphasising the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions for young people with CP in Ireland to enhance overall mental well-being. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

Cerebral PalsyMental DisordersAdolescentChildCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansIrelandMaleMental HealthPrevalenceRisk FactorsSurveys and QuestionnairesCerebral palsyChildrenMental disordersMental health difficultiesPrevalence

Identifiers

PMID42168953
PMCPMC13390323

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.