Psychological status and its influencing factors in the parents of convulsion children in pediatric neurology

Abstract

Objective To investigate the psychological status and its influencing factors in parents of convulsion children in pediatric neurology. Methods The self-designed general information questionnaire, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) , self-rating depression scale (SDS) , social support rating scale and self-care ability assessment scale were used to evaluate a number of 130 parents of convulsion children in pediatric neurology department from 1st May to 1st August 2016. Results A total of 102 parents were included in this investigation. Univariate analysis found that mothers, parents whose childrenwere younger than 1 year, parents who were younger than 30 and parents whose children recurred convulsion after admission had higher anxiety level; parents who were younger than 30 had higher depression level. In the parents with higher anxiety level, the anxiety score was negatively correlated with the social support utilization; the depression score was negatively correlated with the subjective support. The recurrence of convulsion after admission and the family income were influencing factors of the anxiety level of parents. Conclusions The scores of anxiety and depression of parents in pediatric neurology department are high. The recurrence of convulsion after admission and family income are influencing factors of anxiety level of parents. Key words: Seizures; Anxiety; Depression; Child patients; Parents; Pediatric neurology ward