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Self-esteem, behavior, and concerns surrounding epilepsy in siblings of children with epilepsy
1Minnesota Epilepsy Group, St Paul 55102, USA.
Insights
Siblings of children with epilepsy experience increased family stress and a trend toward more externalizing behaviors and concerns. These factors require consideration in comprehensive care for families managing childhood epilepsy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Child Psychology
- Family Studies
Background:
- Epilepsy significantly impacts children with seizures.
- Limited research exists on the effects of childhood epilepsy on siblings.
- Understanding sibling experiences is crucial for holistic family care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the emotional and behavioral impact of childhood epilepsy on siblings.
- To compare siblings of children with frequent seizures, infrequent seizures, and no chronic illness.
- To assess self-esteem, social functioning, behavior, family stress, and epilepsy-related concerns in siblings.
Main Methods:
- Matched-group design comparing three groups of children (siblings of children with epilepsy, controls).
- Utilized validated scales: Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale, Child Behavior Checklist, Family Inventory of Life Events, Sibling Concern About Seizure Scale.
- Compared self-esteem, social functioning, behavior, and family stress levels.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in self-esteem or social functioning among groups.
- A trend towards increased externalizing behaviors in siblings of children with frequent seizures.
- Siblings of children with frequent seizures showed a trend of greater epilepsy-related concerns.
- Significantly higher family stress reported in families with children experiencing frequent seizures.
Conclusions:
- While direct psychological impacts on siblings may not reach statistical significance, observed trends warrant clinical attention.
- Increased family stress is a key factor in families of children with frequent seizures.
- Care coordination for intractable epilepsy should address sibling well-being and family stress.
Abstract:
Researchers document the emotional impact of epilepsy on the child with seizures. Minimal data are available examining the effects of epilepsy on the siblings of children with seizures. Twenty children whose siblings had either frequent seizures or infrequent seizures were matched by age, gender, and birth order to control subjects with no chronic illness. These three groups were compared. Self-esteem, behavioral and social functioning, and family stress were measured by the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale, Child Behavior Checklist, and Family Inventory of Life Events. The siblings of children with epilepsy completed the Sibling Concern About Seizure Scale to define and measure their concerns surrounding epilepsy. There is no statistical difference in self-esteem or social functioning among the three groups. There is a trend toward increased incidence of externalizing behavior in siblings of children with frequent seizures. Data indicate a trend toward siblings of children with frequent seizures having more concerns about epilepsy than siblings of children with infrequent seizures. There is significantly more stress in families of children with frequent seizures compared to families of children with infrequent seizures and families of children with no chronic illness. Although there were no significant differences in the self-esteem, behavior, socialization, and concerns between the siblings in the family when compared to the control group or to each other, there were trends in the results that may be of clinical significance. These issues, along with the level of family stress, should be considered when coordinating and providing care to families of children with intractable epilepsy.