The Participation and Environment Measure—Children and Youth (PEM-CY): Cultural Adaptation, Validity, and Reliability of the Persian Version for 5- to 17-Year-Old Children With Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Background: Participation in daily activities is essential for health and well-being. It helps in physical, mental, and emotional health and plays a significant role in the positive development of children and young people. As it is a crucial goal for health and rehabilitation services, the purpose of this study was to translate and assess the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Participation and Environment Measure—Children and Youth (PEM-CY) in 5- to 17-year-old children with cerebral palsy. Method: The study involved 150 parents of children with CP (n = 100) and typically developing peers (n = 50), aged 5–17 years. To evaluate face and content validity, we consulted occupational therapists and parents of children with CP. Moreover, the Mann–Whitney test used to assess divergent validity. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach′s alpha (α), whereas test-retest reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Results: The internal consistency (0.77–0.95) and test-retest reliability (0.85–0.95) of various summary scores ranged from moderate to very strong. The divergent validity of the Persian version of PEM-CY was supported by significant differences between children with and without disabilities on the participation and environment scales (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The Persian version of the PEM-CY is a valid and reliable tool to determine the participation and environmental factors in the home, at school, and in community settings in Persian children and youth aged 5–17 years, with CP.