Mastery motivation in adolescents with cerebral palsy

•Provides new evidence on the mastery motivation in adolescents with CP.•Adolescents are less likely than peers to persist when challenged by motor, cognitive or social tasks.•Functional limitations are associated with less mastery motivation.•Adolescents rate their motivation levels higher than their parents do. The aim of this study is to describe motivation in adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) and factors associated with motivation level. The Dimensions of Mastery Questionnaire (DMQ) measures motivation in mastering challenging tasks and expressive elements. It was completed by 153 parents and 112 adolescents with CP. Adolescents (GMFCS in n=146 – I:50, II:43, III:13, IV:15, V:25) were assessed using the Leiter IQ and Gross Motor Function Measure. Parents completed the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Motivation scores were highest for mastery pleasure and social persistence with adults and lowest for gross motor and object-oriented persistence. Socio-demographic factors were not strongly correlated with DMQ. Higher gross motor ability (r=0.24–0.52) and fewer activity limitations (r=0.30–0.64, p