All issues > Volume 45(10); 2002

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 2002;45(10):1251-1262. Published online October 15, 2002.

A Comparative Study of Parental Stress in Families with Epileptic Children

Bo-Young BY Kim¹, Sung Min SM Cho²

¹Department of Social Welfare, Graduate School of Taegu University, Kyongsan, Korea
²Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Pohang, Korea

Correspondence Sung Min SM Cho ,Email: smcho@dongguk.ac.kr

Abstract

Purpose
: The purpose of this study is to assess and compare the stress of mothers and fathers in families with epileptic children, and to assess contributing factors to their stress.
Methods
: We used a family stress survey with 35 questionnaires to obtain data concerning the parents' perceived stress. Data were analyzed with SPSS 8.0 program using Pearson correlation coefficient, oneway ANOVA, and multiple range test.
Results
: The parents' stress level seemed not so high and there was no significant difference in stress level between mothers and fathers. There was no significant correlation between most demographic variables of the parents and parents' stress level. But the time of bringing epileptic children correlates positively with the stress level. Oneway ANOVA showed the differences of parents' stress level according to the education institution, seizure type, number of antiepileptic drugs, and the combined disabilities of the sufferer.
Conclusion
: The results of present study indicate that the stress level in the families with epileptic children may be influenced by some treatment-related characteristics of epileptic children such as seizure type, number of antiepileptic drugs, combined disabilities and the raising method of hospital expenses.

Keywords :Stress, Epilepsy, Parents, Epileptic Children