Stress, Coping and Social Support of Mothers of Children with Seizure Disorders

경련성 질환아 어머니의 스트레스, 대응 및 사회적 지지

Purpose: This study was done to investigate stress, coping and social support of mothers of children with seizure disorders, and to identify the relationship between these variables. Method: The participants were 105 mothers of children with seizure disorders. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires which were constructed to include stress, coping and social support. The data were analyzed using the SAS program. Result: Stress of mothers was significantly different according to number of times the child had been hospitalized and the mothers perception of the state of the child's health. Coping by mothers was significantly different according to religion, general health state and if mother knew the child's diagnosis. Social support for mothers was significantly different according to education level, monthly medical expenses and number of times the child had been hospitalized. Social support for mothers was correlated with stress and coping. Conclusion: The above findings indicate that coping in mothers of children with seizure disorder is related to social support. Therefore nursing interventions to reduce stress and improve coping should be provided for mothers of children with seizure disorder.