An Analysis of a Novel, Short-Term Therapeutic Psychoeducational Program for Children and Adolescents with Chronic Neurological Illness and Their Parents; Feasibility and Efficacy.

Bonglim Joo,Young-Mock Lee,Soyong Eom,Heung Dong Kim

doi:10.3389/fnins.2017.00311

Abstract

The purpose of this intervention was to develop a therapeutic psycho-educational program that improves quality of life in children and adolescents who are experiencing chronic neurological illness, including epilepsy, and their parents, and to analyze the intervention's feasibility and efficacy and participants' satisfaction. Participants were eight children (n = 8) and adolescents and their parents; participating children were experiencing chronic neurological illness with psychological comorbidity; children with intellectual impairment were excluded (IQ < 80). The program was carried out weekly for four sessions. In each of the 4 weeks, children's session content addressed self, emotion, coping skills, and finishing up, respectively; and parents' session content targeted family dynamic and emotional intervention, coping skills, childcare and education, and finishing up, respectively. Clinical psychologists administered psychological assessments (viz., Child Behavior Checklist, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Parenting Stress Index, Beck Depression Inventory, Children's Depression Inventory, and Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale) at pre- and post-intervention, and administered satisfaction surveys following the intervention. Participants' opinions about the program's necessity, contents, and process, and participants' overall program satisfaction were analyzed. Parents and children reported high levels of satisfaction with the program. Externalizing behavioral problems, anxiety/depression, and emotional functioning from quality of life showed improvement after the intervention. Although not statistically significant, total child stress trended downward from pre- to post-intervention. A four-session structured therapeutic psycho-educational program for children and adolescents with chronic neurological illness and their parents was successfully implemented, showing good compliance and high satisfaction and efficacy.

Highlights

Chronic illnesses can have a significant impact on the individual and family
Previous studies have noted the need for educational interventions in families (May and Pfäfflin, 2005); education programs for patients are part of chronic disease management and provide participants with confidence, selfefficacy, and the belief that the disease is under their control
Session content targeting children addressed negative self-concept, low self-esteem, stigma, adaptation, emotion, and quality of life. This session content was included as earlier research indicates that targeted interventions may decrease stigma and other psychological comorbidities in individuals with epilepsy

Summary

Introduction

Chronic illnesses can have a significant impact on the individual and family. They are characterized by prolonged duration, failure to resolve spontaneously, and rarity of complete cure (Stanton et al, 2007); as their prevalence is estimated at 30% in the pediatric population-in prior prevalence studies, published estimates of the proportion of children with one or more chronic illnesses range (Newacheck and Taylor, 1992). Children and adolescents with chronic illnesses face significant stress and an associated risk of emotional and behavioral problems. It may affect children’s life more illnessspecific emotional and behavioral problems (Lavigne and FaierRoutman, 1992). Stress related to chronic illness affects families as well as the chronically ill children (Compas et al, 2012; Cousino and Hazen, 2013)

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion