Parental attitudes and adjustment to epilepsy were assessed for 50 parents of children aged
6 to 14 with epilepsy. Fishbein's Expectancy-Value Model of Attitude was used to assess
parental attitudes. Parental adjustment was measured both by a self-report instrument and
by an independent psychosocial assessment conducted by a psychiatric social worker. The
major finding was a strong positive relationship (R=. 67, p<. 001) between parental attitude
and adjustment for the mothers. The attitude-adjustment relationship was not significant for …

Parental attitude and adjustment were examined in 20 epileptic children (ages 6.8-16.6 yrs),
using semi-structured interview. The results indicated that parental understandings of
epilepsy were generally poor and incorrect. Fifteen (75%) of 20 parents had their own
interpretations of causality and 19 (95%) had unrealistic hope for early and complete cure.
Parents tended to overprotect and overrestrict their children. Sixteen (80%) concealed the
illness for fear of social prejudice, therefore the social support systems were generally poorly …