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Social dominance in children with cerebral palsy during a problem-solving task with peers

Abstract Purpose: Children with cerebral palsy tend to have poorer social competence outcomes than their peers without a disability in mainstream school settings. To understand their social competence, this study compared children with cerebral palsy with paired children without cerebral palsy with respect to their ability to access resources, defined here as “social dominance”, in a problem-solving situation. Method: Children with cerebral palsy were randomly paired to a peer (teammate) and put in a competitive context where each team of two children was instructed to solve an impossible problem. To control for social status, a sociometric measure was administered previously in the classroom (Social Preference score). Behaviors related to social dominance (prosocial and coercive behaviors) were coded using an observation scale validated for this study. Results: The results showed that regardless of social status, children with cerebral palsy were less socially dominant than controls without cerebral palsy. Furthermore, their teams seemed to be less dominant than teams composed of two controls. Conclusions: The lower social competence in children with cerebral palsy could be partly explained by their reduced social dominance behavior in activities requiring speed and fluidity as an expression of executive functions. This might be viewed as a marker for social risks in the integration process at school. Implications for rehabilitation Gross Motor Function Classification System level I or II cerebral palsy is a condition that affects not only motor abilities but also social competence in children. Lower social competence in children with cerebral palsy could be partly explained by reduced social dominance behavior in activities such as problem solving with peers. To improve social competence, rehabilitation interventions should include social participation opportunities in which children with cerebral palsy are encouraged to take an active role in the activity.