Understanding the challenges and impact of parenting with epilepsy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the challenges and impact of parenting with epilepsy: A focus on mothers
IRAS ID
99262
Contact name
Amanda Wood
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
The experiences women with epilepsy (WWE) have in regards to their parenting style and child-rearing is an under-researched area. This study aims to gain greater insight towards working out whether additional support is warranted in WWE and if so, which factors are important. For example elevated stress levels in WWE in combination with the sleeplessness associated with caring for a young child may contribute to increased seizure frequency. By better understanding the presence and nature of parental stress in women with epilepsy, this study seeks to provide affected families with information that they may find useful in reducing feelings of poor coping/being stigmatised.
In Phase 1, a preliminary purposive sample of twenty participants will take part in one-to-one interviews. Following on from this, a series of ten focus groups (five women in each group) will be conducted. We will aim to examine both positive and negative parenting experiences of WWE. All interviews will be conducted at The University of Birmingham. The one-one interviews will last approximately between 45-60 minutes and the focus groups, between 1.5 to 2 hours.
After interviews have been conducted, participants will be given two questionnaires to complete either at the University after the interviews or will be given the option to take the questionnaires home to complete and return to the research team in a pre-paid envelope. The first questionnaire (Parenting Stress Index) measures parental stress and the second questionnaire (Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire-Short Form) measures parenting style. Both questionnaires are expected to take 10-15 minutes to complete.
In Phase 2, mothers with epilepsy will be recruited for participation in an online pilot survey assessing the relationships between parenting experiences of WWE (using measures developed from Phase 1 findings), parenting stress, and parenting style.REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/WM/0313
Date of REC Opinion
8 Oct 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion