Joan K Austin1, Linda C Haber2, David W Dunn3, Cheryl P Shore4, Cynthia S Johnson5, Susan M Perkins5. 1. Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, IN, USA. Electronic address: joausti@iu.edu. 2. Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA. 3. Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA. 4. University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA. 5. Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Parent variables (stigma, mood, unmet needs for information and support, and worry) are associated with behavioral difficulties in children with seizures; however, it is not known how this relationship is influenced by additional seizures. This study followed children (ages 4-14 years) and their parents over a 24-month period (with data collected at baseline and 6, 12, and 24 months) and investigated the effect of an additional seizure on the relationship between parenting variables and child behavior difficulties. METHODS: The sample was parents of 196 children (104 girls and 92 boys) with a first seizure within the past 6 weeks. Child mean age at baseline was 8 years, 3 months (SD 3 years). Data were analyzed using t-tests, chi-square tests, and repeated measures analyses of covariance. RESULTS: Relationships between parent variables, additional seizures, and child behavior problems were consistent across time. Several associations between parent variables and child behavior problems were stronger in the additional seizure group than in the no additional seizure group. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that interventions that assist families to respond constructively to the reactions of others regarding their child's seizure condition and to address their needs for information and support could help families of children with continuing seizures to have an improved quality of life.
OBJECTIVE: Parent variables (stigma, mood, unmet needs for information and support, and worry) are associated with behavioral difficulties in children with seizures; however, it is not known how this relationship is influenced by additional seizures. This study followed children (ages 4-14 years) and their parents over a 24-month period (with data collected at baseline and 6, 12, and 24 months) and investigated the effect of an additional seizure on the relationship between parenting variables and child behavior difficulties. METHODS: The sample was parents of 196 children (104 girls and 92 boys) with a first seizure within the past 6 weeks. Child mean age at baseline was 8 years, 3 months (SD 3 years). Data were analyzed using t-tests, chi-square tests, and repeated measures analyses of covariance. RESULTS: Relationships between parent variables, additional seizures, and child behavior problems were consistent across time. Several associations between parent variables and child behavior problems were stronger in the additional seizure group than in the no additional seizure group. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that interventions that assist families to respond constructively to the reactions of others regarding their child's seizure condition and to address their needs for information and support could help families of children with continuing seizures to have an improved quality of life.
Authors: David W Dunn; C S Johnson; S M Perkins; P S Fastenau; A W Byars; T J deGrauw; J K Austin Journal: Epilepsy Behav Date: 2010-11 Impact factor: 2.937
Authors: Kim J Oostrom; Anneke Smeets-Schouten; Cas L J J Kruitwagen; A C Boudewyn Peters; Aagje Jennekens-Schinkel Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2003-12 Impact factor: 7.124