Severity of Epilepsy and Parent-Perceived Cognitive Functioning in Children with New-Onset Epilepsy: A Prospective Study of Family Factors as Mediators and Moderators

Abstract

Children with epilepsy are at risk for cognitive impairments. In addition to severity of epilepsy, family factors have been cited as influencing cognition in children. The relationship between severity of epilepsy and parent-perceived cognitive functioning as well as moderating and mediating effects of family resources, demands and functioning were examined. Data came from the Health-related Quality of Life of Children with Epilepsy Study (HERQULES). Multiple linear regressions were conducted to assess the relationship between severity of epilepsy and cognition, and moderating effects, while generalized estimating equations assessed mediating effects. Severity of epilepsy and parent-perceived cognitive functioning were inversely related. Family resources acted as a significant moderator in this relationship. Neither family demands nor family functioning had a significant mediating effect, which may be due to the lack of variation in this sample. Further research should replicate the moderating results and indicate the importance of family factors in managing epilepsy

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