Parenting stress and childhood epilepsy: The impact of depression, learning, and seizure-related factors

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate stress in parents of children with epilepsy relative to the impact of childhood depression, learning disorders, and seizure-related risk factors.MethodsSixty-five parents and their children completed the Parenting Stress Index, Child Depression Inventory, and behavior and demographic forms. Kruska–Wallis ANOVAs and Spearman’s rank correlations were used in a cross-sectional study design.ResultsHigh levels of stress were found among the parents (45%). Overall, child depression (23%) was found to significantly increase the distress parents experienced in their role (P < 0.05). Another risk factor found to impact parenting stress was learning disabilities (P < 0.01). The seizure-related factors of polytherapy, duration, and age at onset were correlated with depression (P < 0.05).ConclusionTo effectively manage children with epilepsy, assessments of depression and learning must be considered because of their potential impact on parenting stress and the child’s overall quality of life.