AUTHOR=Koliouli Flora , Andrianakou Marianna 

TITLE=COVID-19 and parents of children with epilepsy: Experiences and positive changes

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1079518

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2023.1079518

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=The aim of this study is to explore the ways that parents with children or adolescents with epilepsy (CAWE) experienced restrictive measures, as well as the stressors and challenges that they had to face. We employed an experiential approach and fifteen Greek-speaking parents answered an in-depth semi-structured interview, during the second lockdown period. Data were analyzed through the Thematic Analysis (TA). The emerging themes were the challenges encountered in terms of medical monitoring, the “stay-home” impact on their everyday lives as a family, and their psycho-emotional responses. More specifically, parents identified irregular doctor appointments and their struggle to access hospital services as the most important challenges. Moreover, parents reported that the “stay-home” impact had disrupted their children’s daily routines. Finally, parents highlighted their emotional strain and worries experienced during the lockdown along with the positive changes that occurred.