Parental attitude and coping behaviors in families of children with epilepsy

This study investigated the relationship between parental attitudes toward their children's epilepsy and parental coping patterns. Subjects were 27 parents whose children had epilepsy. Parental attitude was measured using the Fishbein Expectancy-Value Model, while coping was measured using the Coping Health Inventory for Parents. Significant positive correlations were found between parental attitude and the coping pattern of Maintaining Family Integration, Cooperation and Optimistic Definition of the Situation (r = .42, p less than .02). Parental attitude was also positively related to the coping pattern of Maintaining Social Support, Self-esteem and Psychological Stability (r = .32, p less than .05). Results suggest parents with positive attitudes toward their children's epilepsy use more positive coping behaviors than parents with less positive attitudes.