Investigation on trait coping style among parents of children with epilepsy

Abstract

Objective To study the characteristics of trait coping style and mental health status in parents of children with epilepsy, so as to provide a theoretical basis for psychological and behavioral interventions. Methods A total of 225 parents of children with epilepsy were assessed with Trait Coping Style Questionnaire (TCSQ) and their characteristics of trait coping style were analyzed. Results Compared between different genders, different working pressures and between previously diagnosed and newly diagnosed, the scores of negative coping (NC) and positive coping (PC) in the parents of children with epilepsy had statistically significant difference (P < 0.05, for all). Male parents and previously diagnosed parents were more positive, while parents with great working pressure and newly diagnosed parents were more negative. The scores of PC had significant difference in different types of seizures (P < 0.05). Parents of children with partial seizures were more positive. Conclusions Trait coping style in parents of children with epilepsy has its own characteristics, and there are many mental health problems in those parents. The psychological and behavioral interventions should be targeted to improve the psychological status of parents of children with epilepsy.

doi：10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2014.02.009