Motor performance and correlates of mental health in XXXX who are deaf or hard of hearing.

@entity1 @entity393
AIM: This cross-sectional study investigates the relationship between motor performance and mental health in a representative population of @entity1 with @entity393 . METHOD: Ninety-three pupils (45 males, 48 females) aged 6  years to 16  years (mean 11y 3mo, SD 2y 9mo) with @entity393 of at least 40dB and a Nonverbal IQ greater than 70 were assessed for motor performance with the Z  rich Neuromotor Assessment (ZNA) and for mental health with the parent version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). RESULTS: @entity1 with @entity393 had lower motor performance scores in all four ZNA subscales compared with ZNA norms (z-scores -1.42 to -2.67). After controlling for Nonverbal IQ, ZNA pure motor performance correlated negatively with the SDQ total difficulties score. Pure motor, pegboard, and dynamic balance subscales correlated negatively with peer-relationship problems. Dynamic balance correlated negatively with emotional problems. Performance in pure motor and dynamic balance skills correlated negatively with age. Except for static balance, no correlation was found between motor performance and the degree of @entity393 . INTERPRETATION: Results confirm that a high percentage of @entity1 with @entity393 have poor motor performance. These problems are associated with difficulties in social relationships. Early recognition of these problems may lead to interventions to assist @entity1 with @entity393 with their peer relationships.
