Koliouli F, Andrianakou M. COVID-19 and parents of children with epilepsy: Experiences and positive changes.
Front Public Health 2023;
11:1079518. [PMID:
36844820 PMCID:
PMC9947290 DOI:
10.3389/fpubh.2023.1079518]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction
The aim of this study is to explore the ways that parents with children or adolescents with epilepsy (CAWE) experienced the restrictive measures, as well as the stressors and challenges that they had to face.
Methods
We employed an experiential approach and fifteen Greek-speaking parents answered to an in-depth semi-structured interview, during the second lockdown period. Data were analyzed through the Thematic Analysis (TA).
Results
The emerging themes were the challenges encountered in terms of medical monitoring, the "stay-home" impact on their everyday lives as a family, their psycho-emotional responses. More specifically, parents identified the irregular doctor appointments and their struggle to access the hospital services as the most important challenges. Moreover, parents reported that the "stay-home" impact has disrupted their children's daily routines among others. Finally, parents highlighted their emotional strain and worries experienced during the lockdown along with the positive changes that occurred.
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