Improving outcomes for children with epilepsy

Objective: The primary aim of the review was to synthesize and evaluate the efficacy of parent and family only psychological interventions for improving parent behaviour, adjustment and family functioning among parents and families of children and adolescents with chronic illnesses. A secondary aim of the review was to evaluate the efficacy of parent and family only psychological interventions for improving behaviour, school/social functioning and adjustment, and medical symptoms of children and adolescents with chronic illnesses. Methods: Medline, PsycINFO and CINAHL were searched from January 1990 to November 2018. 17 randomized and controlled trials were include in the review. These studies were rated for methodological quality and parent, family and child outcomes were extracted for summary. Effect sizes were calculated where not reported by authors of included studies. Results: Overall methodological quality of included studies was good, with 50% rated as high quality and the remainder rated as having adequate quality. Reported data was considerably limited for family functioning and child illness outcomes. Evidence was promising regarding the effectiveness of family-focused parent interventions for improving parent mental health and parent behaviour. Results for child outcomes suggested these interventions can have a positive impact on child behaviour and adjustment. These are promising findings with respect to downstream effects on child adjustment. Conclusions: Research regarding the efficacy of parent interventions on parent, family and child outcomes in pediatric chronic illness is in its infancy. The review suggests that parent psychological interventions has potential to improve parent, family and child outcomes. Children with chronic illnesses are a psychosocially at-risk group and future research is required to advance the understanding of the potential of family-focused parent interventions to buffer or mitigate these challenges.

Grantor dc:publisher

University College Cork

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• Hartley, Sinead

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Mccusker, Chris

• Chronic illness
• Children
• Family
• Parent
• Psychological intervention
• Systematic review

Statement dc:rights

• © 2019, Sinead Hartley.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10468/18161

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:cora.ucc.ie:10468/18161