Impact of Idiopathic Epilepsy on Mothers and Fathers: Strain, Burden of Care, Worries and Perception of Vulnerability

The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of idiopathic epilepsy on mothers and fathers in terms of strain, burden of care, worries and perception of vulnerability. Data were collected and analyzed shortly after the diagnosis (T0) and 12 months later (T1). The results indicated that at T0 parents of children with epilepsy showed higher levels of worries and perception of vulnerability than controls; mothers sustained a greater burden of care and exhibited higher levels of strain than fathers. At T1, strain and perception of vulnerability decreased both for mothers and fathers, while burden of care and worries remained stable. At T0 and T1, strain was associated with parents’ perception of vulnerability and anxiety for their children’s future.