Psychosocial adjustment in Swedish children with upper-limb reduction deficiency and a myoelectric prosthetic hand

Aim: To study psychosocial adjustment and mental health in children with upper-limb reduction deficiency and a myoelectric prosthetic hand. Methods: Sixty-two parents of children aged 8 to 18 y old answered a questionnaire concerning competence and behaviour/emotional problems in their children. Of the 62 children, 37 adolescents aged 11 to 18 y old answered questionnaires concerning competence, problems and mood state. The results were compared with Swedish normative data. The children were divided into five groups based on degree of myoelectric prosthetic use. Results: Children with upper-limb reduction deficiency and a myoelectric prosthetic hand showed social competence and behaviour/emotional problems similar to Swedish standardized norms. However, withdrawn behaviour was significantly higher in all children, social competence was significantly lower in girls, and social activities were significantly lower in older children with upper-limb reduction deficiency. There was a significant difference between prosthetic use groups. Non-users had significantly more delinquent behaviour problems than full-time users. There was an interaction between gender and prosthetic use in their affect on competence and behaviour/emotional problems, yielding two contrasting patterns. Conclusion: Children with upper-limb reduction deficiency and a myoelectric prosthetic hand are as well adjusted psychosocially as their able-bodied peers. There are indications, however, of social stigmata related to the deficiency, which have to be considered differently in boys and girls.