Abstracts

Despite access to neurological treatment, children with epilepsy have unmet mental health needs (Ott et al., 2003). This discrepancy in care is significant because quality of life for these children is poor (Austin [amp] Dunn, 2000; Sabaz et al., 2003) and psychopathology is frequent (Austin et al., 2001; Caplan et al. 2004; Dunn et al., 1999). Different provider and parent perceptions about mental health problems in pediatric chronic illness (Cadman et al., 1987; Coulter [amp] Koester, 1985) and low parent educational level in pediatric epilepsy predict mental health care. This study examined parent knowledge and attitude about mental health problems and perceived barriers to their care in pediatric epilepsy. We compared responses of 20 Caucasian and 20 Hispanic parents of children with epilepsy to a questionnaire on parent knowledge about emotional, behavioral and learning problems in pediatric epilepsy, parent attitude towards mental health care for children with epilepsy, parent behavior with providers in getting help for their children with emotional/behavior or learning problems, and provider behavior regarding these problems. Parents filled out the questionnaire before and after they read a brochure as they waited for their child[apos]s appointment in the UCLA Pediatric Neurology Clinic. Before the intervention, the Caucasian parents noted fewer emotional, behavioral, and learning difficulties and were not as concerned about behavior problems as the Hispanic parents (p [lt] .01). They thought that mental health treatment would help less (p [lt] .003) and might increase the children[apos]s difficulties (p [lt] .005). However, they were significantly more aware of their children being treated differently by their teachers (p [lt] .02) and by friends (p [lt] .05) than the Hispanic parents. The Caucasian parents noted more obstacles to pursuing mental health services (p [lt] .001), but Hispanic parents said it was hard to pursue mental health care for unclear reasons (not due to reluctance of their spouse, their child, or themselves but [ldquo]other[rdquo] reasons) (p [lt] .03). They also felt that they did not have enough information on mental health issues (p [lt] .02). Providing parents with information through the brochure made them significantly more aware that children with epilepsy have behavior difficulties (p [lt] .001), worry about their school performance (p [lt] .01), feel sad and stressed (p [lt] .06), and that their children would want to get rid of these problems (p [lt] .02). These preliminary findings suggest that Caucasian parents might be less aware of the emotional, behavioral, and learning difficulties of their children with epilepsy than Hispanic parents. Parent lack of knowledge and attitude to mental health, not provider behavior, might play a role in the unmet mental health needs of Caucasian children. Other factors are probably involved for Hispanic children. (Supported by Epilepsy Foundation of America: Shire Targeted Award.)