How Parents Cope with the Care of a Child with Epilepsy: Based upon Grounded Theory

BACKGROUND: Parents of children with seizure face the complicated health issues of their children. Adaptation strategies of parents as major care providers impact not only their handling of stresses on themselves but also children's quality of life. This study investigated the adaptation processes of parents of children with seizure at two educational hospitals affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Sciences in Iran. METHODS: Twenty parents (15 mothers and 5 fathers), and three nurses were selected using purposive sampling method. Data was collected using qualitative semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the method suggested by Corbin and Strauss version 2008. The interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was achieved. RESULTS: The adaptation process had five phases: “Disbelief, Patience on what happened, change to preserve, acceptance of the current situation, and self- empowerment.” In summary, the parents of children with seizure had a 5-phase adaptation strategy. The core category achieved was “continued efforts of parents to restore calm.” CONCLUSION: Properly assessing the stresses' resources on parents of children with seizure is necessary. Informing their adaptation strategies may help medical staff and social services to provide more targeted support and promote the balance of the family function.