P.079 Body image in youth and adolescents with CP living in Ontario

Background: Body image research in young people with physical disabilities like cerebral palsy (CP) has received very little attention. The goal of this pilot study is to ask youth with CP (of all levels of disability) directly about body image to learn their perspective. Methods: Our study includes quantitative data of quality-of-life measures, along with qualitative interview data summarized via thematic analysis. Our data is augmented with input from siblings (without CP) of our primary participants to represent a control group in the same family unit. Results: Twelve youths with CP (7 male, 5 female) participated in the study. Withe the higher score representing more positive the body image, scores averaged 17.93/25 (SD 4.73) for those with CP, 18.62/25 (SD 5.45) for those without CP. There were higher scores for males and those ≤13yo compared to 14-18yo. Interview thematic analysis uncovers themes of functional capability, the wish to reduce burden on family, pride in the CP identity, and mixed desirability of media representation. Conclusions: There is greater difference between age groups and genders than there is between those with CP and not. Interviews with participants revealed the important recurring theme of functional capacity connected to positive self-image, which may be considered justification for interventions.