Date of Award
2008
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Supervisor
Dr. Kathy Nixon Speechley
Abstract
Family-Centered Care (FCC) is shown to improve outcomes in populations of children with chronic illnesses and their families, but has not been studied in epilepsy. The onset of childhood epilepsy can alter Family Functioning (FF). Associations between FCC and FF, one year after diagnosis, are examined. All newly diagnosed children, ages 4-12, were recruited through a Canada-wide prospective cohort study, Health Related Quality ofLifeinChildrenwithEpilepsy. Linearregressiondescribestheassociationsbetween the 5 domains of the Measure of Processes of Care, and the Family APGAR while adjusting for family and child characteristics. The sample is 233 mothers whose families were overall socio-demographically advantaged and whose children had good prognoses. Regression coefficients for the five models were not statistically significant. The findings may be due to residual confounding or that families had high levels of functioning and thus a reduced burden of epilepsy on the family unit.
Recommended Citation
Magalhaes, Sandra A., "Family-Centered Care and Family Functioning in Childhood Epilepsy, One Year After Diagnosis" (2008). Digitized Theses. 4343.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/4343