Comparative study of children's self-concepts and parenting stress between families of children with epilepsy and asthma.

The purpose of the present study was to conduct a comparative study on families of children with epilepsy and asthma with regard to the variables of children's self-concepts and parenting stress. While past research has indicated higher rates of behavioral problems in children with epilepsy, behavioral problems were associated primarily with children's self-concept. How an individual assesses his or herself impacts significantly upon self conceptualization and the attainment of a stable concept about oneself as an individual is a critical development factor during an individual's cognitive development stage. Nevertheless, specific factors related to such have not previously been well delineated. Forty-eight children, 8 to 13 years of age with epilepsy, and 54 children in the same age range with asthma were investigated for this study. Parents of subjects were also involved in this study. The self-concepts of subject children were assessed using the Harter's Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC). Parenting stress was measured using Abidin's Parenting Stress Index (PSI)/long form. Children's demographic variables and illness severity were also measured as potential risk factors. Results showed significant differences between the two groups in terms of self-concept and parenting stress, with epileptic children returning significantly lower self-concept scores in 3 SPPC subscales. Demographic variables and illness conditions were not found to be effective predictors of parenting stress. Level of parenting stress was revealed to be significantly associated with children's self-concept in the epilepsy group. Results suggest that parents of children with epilepsy will benefit from coping strategies that may help lower parenting stress levels and influence positively upon children's self-concept. In addition to providing regular drug therapy, providing further support is needed.