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Article
Emotional well-being in children with epilepsy: Family factors as mediators and moderators
Epilepsia
  • Shane W. Goodwin, Western University
  • Piotr Wilk, Western University
  • M. Karen Campbell, Western University
  • Kathy N. Speechley, Western University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-1-2017
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1111/epi.13900
Abstract

Objective: Our objective was to examine the relationships of factors associated with children's emotional well-being 2 years after diagnosis, and to examine if these relationships are mediated or moderated by family factors. Methods: Data came from a multicenter prospective cohort study of children with newly diagnosed epilepsy from across Canada (Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Epilepsy Study; HERQULES, n = 373). Emotional well-being was assessed using the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE-55). The relationships between clinical factors, family factors, and emotional well-being were assessed using multiple regression analyses. Results: Family functioning, family stress, and repertoire of resources that the families had to adapt to stressful events were significantly associated with poor emotional well-being 2 years after diagnosis (p < 0.05) in the multivariable analysis. The effect of parental depressive symptoms was partially mediated by family functioning and family stress (p < 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). Family resources acted as a moderator in the relationship between severity of epilepsy and emotional well-being (p < 0.05). Significance: Based on our findings, efforts to strengthen the family environment may warrant attention. We suggest that clinicians take a family centered care approach by including families in treatment planning. Family centered care has been shown to improve family well-being and coping and in turn may reduce the impact of clinical factors on emotional well-being to improve long-term health-related quality of life.

Citation Information
Shane W. Goodwin, Piotr Wilk, M. Karen Campbell and Kathy N. Speechley. "Emotional well-being in children with epilepsy: Family factors as mediators and moderators" Epilepsia Vol. 58 Iss. 11 (2017) p. 1912 - 1919
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/piotr-wilk/17/