Predictors of maternal depression for families having a child with epilepsy

Pei Fan Mu, Tai Ting Wong, Kai Ping Chang, Shang Yeong Kwan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to use a descriptive correlational design to examine the relationship among maternal uncertainty, boundary ambiguity and depression in families having a child with epilepsy. Three hundred and twenty-four mothers from the child epilepsy day-clinics of three teaching hospitals in Taiwan participated in this study. Data collection was performed by well-trained research assistants who helped mothers fill out the well-developed Chinese version of the Parental Perception of Uncertainty Scale, the Boundary Ambiguity scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Uncertainty was positively associated with boundary ambiguity and depression. Boundary ambiguity was positively associated with depression. Stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that boundary ambiguity, uncertainty and mother's age are predictors of a mother's depression which account for 21.49% of the total variance of depression. The results provide a scientific knowledge base for nursing interventions that aim to provide clear information about the child's illness and help to establish appropriate patterns of parent-child interaction in terms of maintaining family boundary integrity and mothers' functional adaptability.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)116-126
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Nursing Research
Volume9
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2001
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Depression
  • Epilepsy
  • Family
  • Mother
  • Uncertainty

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nursing(all)

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