AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON PSYCHOSOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES IN SIBLINGS OF CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY
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Keywords
Epilepsy, Psychological reactions, parental negligence, loneliness
Abstract
Chronic illnesses like epilepsy in children have a significant impact on the entire family. Siblings of these children, typically within the same age range, may experience a range of psychological effects. There is limited data regarding the psychological state of siblings who share the same family environment as a child with epilepsy. To investigate the emotional effects and psychosocial aspects experienced by siblings of children with epilepsy. This study was qualitative in nature. The children with epilepsy were interviewed who has visited epilepsy clinic in last 5 years and with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire exploring the domains of their perceived severity of the sibling’s epilepsy, their psychological reactions, their perception of parental behavior, family environment, and social life. The narratives were systematically transcribed into themes. The psychological responses of the children were examined for correlation with sociodemographic factors, characteristics of epilepsy, and themes derived from other domains. In summary, 55 %of children indicated experiencing anxiety;65 % reported feelings of parental negligence; and 42% described their family environment as disturbed. The psychological reaction of anxiety showed a significant correlation with the perceived severity of illness (P = 0.007). Children with siblings suffering from epilepsy have various psychological effects that are influenced by their perception of parental behaviour and family environment.
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Dr. Pranav Prakash Rai
Assistant Professor Department of Paediatrics, Autonomous State Medical College Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh Pincode 274304