| This action research study explored the impact on parents raising a child with epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects 50 million people worldwide (Pediatric Epilepsy Research Center, 2002) and 2.3 million Americans (Epilepsy Foundation of America [EFA], 1999). Epilepsy is considered to be the most common of all neurological disorders among children (Mitchell & Flourie, 1999), affecting approximately 5 to 10 children in every 1,000 (Seidenberg & Clemmons, 1998). Of all American children aged 14 and under, 89,000 have an active seizure disorder, and in 25% of cases of epilepsy, seizures cannot be adequately controlled (EFA, 1999). Over the last decade, there have been dozens of advances in the treatment of epilepsy; however to date, no definitive cure has been found.; This study is important because it addresses the needs of families afflicted with epilepsy. The three primary research goals of the study were, first, to determine how epilepsy impacts the parents, next, to identify coping mechanisms utilized by parents, and finally, to fill a void in the literature from the parental perspective. Interviews were conducted with 30 parents of epileptic children in the northeastern part of the United States. This study was also supplemented with personal reflections by the researcher who is also a parent of an epileptic child.; Numerous themes emerged from the interviews, suggesting that epilepsy impacts the family in a variety of ways. The most frequently reported challenges were medication issues, hassles associated with the disease, and negative emotions expressed by parents. Religious coping, seeking support from spouses, and having a positive attitude were the most frequently reported methods of coping. Over 66% of the parents felt that religion, faith, or prayer had an impact on their experience, and 60% said that doctors should recommend spirituality, faith, or prayer as a means of coping. Overall, the answers generated by gender were not significantly different. |
