The quality of life of parents of children with epilepsy

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The focus of the present review is the quality of life (QOL) of parents caring for a childwith epilepsy. The review is informed by published books and articles available on thePsychlit and Medline databases. The paper provides an overview of epilepsy and theproblems patients, particularly children, are confronted with. The important roles thatparents fulfil in their child's life is followed by a discussion of the stress and burdenexperienced by parents caring for a child with epilepsy. Descriptions and definitions ofthe construct QOL are followed by reported research findings on the QOL of patientswith epilepsy. The importance of the QOL of parents caring for a child with epilepsy isemphasized and this leads to an examination of existing research on the QOL of theseparents. Research on the QOL of parents of children with epilepsy is limited despite theimportant roles parents fulfil in the life of their child with epilepsy and the potentiallynegative consequences of these additional roles for the child, the parents and theremainder of the family. Identification and an understanding of the dimensions of QOLof parents that are impacted upon by a child's epilepsy may produce improved treatmentoutcomes and QOL for children diagnosed and living with epilepsy. Recommendationsfor future research are included in the present review.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University