Full and partial DSM-5 PTSD in parents of children with epilepsy: Exploring gender differences

Abstract

IntroductionIncreasing literature suggests the need to explore PTSD and post-traumatic stress symptoms among parents and caregivers of children with acute and chronic illnesses but scant data are available on epilepsy.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to estimate full and partial PTSD rates among parents of children with epilepsy according to DSM-5 criteria. Further, aim of this study was to examine eventual gender differences between mothers and fathers.MethodsOne hundred and thirty-eight parents, 91 mothers (65.9%) and 47 (34.1%) fathers, of children diagnosed with epilepsy were interviewed using the SCID-5.ResultsFull and partial DSM-5 PTSD were reported by 10.4% and 37.3% of patients, respectively. Significant gender differences, with the mother more affected, emerged in the rates of partial A PTSD rates (P = 0.048) and in the endorsement rates of criterion B (intrusion symptoms) (P = 0.047), criterion D (negative alterations in cognitions and mood) (P = 0.010) and criterion E (alterations in arousal and reactivity) (P < 0.001) too.ConclusionsThis is the first study to identify post-traumatic symptoms in caregivers of pediatric patients with epilepsy with the use of current diagnostic criteria and the relevance of the results suggests the need for further studies on this risk population.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.