Mother-child Interactions and Quality of Life of Preschool Children with Epilepsy as Perceived by Mothers

어머니가 인식한 학령전기 뇌전증 아동의 모아상호작용과 삶의 질

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine mother-child interactions and the quality of life of preschool children with epilepsy as perceived by mothers, and to investigate the relation between mother-child interactions and the quality of life of preschool children with epilepsy. Methods: Participants for this study consist of 92 mothers of children with epilepsy aged three to six years who were treated at university hospitals and a city hospital located in Seoul, Korea. The instruments used for this study were mother-child interactions of preschool children scale and the Korean version of the TAPQOL (TNO-AZL Preschool children Quality of Life). Results: The level of mother-child interactions for preschool children with epilepsy showed a mean score 125.91. The category of dyadic domain was rated the highest while the child domain category was rated the lowest. The level of mother-child interactions for preschool children with epilepsy showed a significant difference according to the mother-child relationship, birth history, seizure frequency, number of antiepileptic drugs and combined disabilities. The quality of life of children with epilepsy showed a significant difference according to the mother-child relationship, birth history, seizure frequency, number of antiepileptic drugs and combined disabilities. There is a statistically significant positive correlation between mother-child interactions and quality of life of preschool children with epilepsy. Conclusion: This study suggests that the mother-child interaction of preschool children with epilepsy showed a tendency to be led by mothers. In order to stimulate mother-child interactions, mothers should help their children enhance their reaction and participation.