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Child-parent relationships in the care of epileptic children
I Kitamoto1, T Kurokawa, S Tomita
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Insights
Parental attitudes toward children with epilepsy vary. Some parents exhibit rejection, while others show excessive care and anxiety, highlighting the need for parental mental health support.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Clinical Neurology
Background:
- Epilepsy in children presents unique challenges for family dynamics.
- Parental psychological responses can significantly impact a child's well-being and development.
- Understanding these dynamics is crucial for effective therapeutic interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate parental attitudes towards children with epilepsy.
- To identify differences in attitudes based on the child's neurological complications.
- To explore the influence of child's age and seizure control on parental behavior.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the "Taken" diagnostic test for child-parent relationships.
- Assessed 70 children with epilepsy (31 boys, 39 girls) and their parents (16 fathers, 59 mothers).
- Divided patients into two groups: Group A (no neurological complications) and Group B (with neurological complications).
Main Results:
- Parents of Group A children and fathers of Group B children displayed rejection.
- Mothers of Group B children exhibited dotage and anxiety, particularly with older children (over 12) and uncontrolled seizures.
- Significant differences in parental attitudes were observed based on child's condition and demographic factors.
Conclusions:
- Parental psychological conflicts are evident in families with epileptic children.
- Targeted mental health care for parents is essential to mitigate negative psychological impacts.
- Interventions should aim to reduce parental distress and prevent adverse effects on children's development.
Abstract:
We investigated the attitudes of parents toward their epileptic children with the "Taken" diagnostic test for child-parent relationships. Included were 70 epileptic children, 31 boys and 39 girls, and their parents, 16 fathers and 59 mothers. Patients were divided into group A, 35 children without neurologic complications other than seizures, and group B, 35 children with complications. The results were evaluated by comparing with the normal standard revised by Akasaka et al. The parents of group A and the fathers of group B showed rejection toward their children. The mothers of group B showed attitudes of dotage and anxiety, especially when their children were over 12 years of age and the seizures were not controlled. Our observations suggest that mental health care for the parents of epileptic children is necessary to decrease the psychological conflicts and to prevent untoward effects on their offspring.