Wajongers opgegroeid met een somatische aandoening: Psychosociale ontwikkelingsmijlpalen en kwaliteit van leven

Purpose: The aim of the study is to investigate the psychosocial developmental trajectory of Wajongers (young adults with disability benefits) because of a somatic disease or disability. It is hypothesized that: (1): the Wajongers had achieved fewer psychosocial developmental milestones than peers from the general population, or had achieved the milestones when they were older than their peers; (2) the quality of life (QoL) of the Wajongers was worse than the QoL of peers from the general population. Patients and methods: A total of 415 Wajongers with a somatic disease or disability and 508 peers from the general population (norm group) completed (online) the Course of Life Questionnaire (psychosocial developmental milestones) and the RAND-36 (QoL). Differences between the Wajongers and the norm group with respect to the developmental milestones and QoL were tested with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and logistic regression analysis. Effect sizes and odds ratios (OR) were calculated. Results: The Wajongers proved to have achieved fewer milestones in the autonomy, social and psychosexual development, and they reported less antisocial behaviour and substance use than the norm group. The current QoL of the Wajongers was worse than the QoL of the norm group, especially in the physical and social domains. Conclusions: While growing up into adulthood, the psychosocial developmental trajectory of Wajongers with a somatic disease or disability is unfavourable; in adulthood, their QoL is less good. Attention to the psychosocial development and social-emotional well-being of children, adolescents and young adults growing up with a somatic disease or disability should be standard part of treatment; necessary to create optimal conditions for participation in society.