Department of Paediatric Psychology, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Luton, UK.
Doctorate Programme in Clinical Psychology, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK.
Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2024 Jul;29(3):982-993. doi: 10.1177/13591045231193250. Epub 2023 Aug 8.
Tree of Life Groups (a narrative therapy technique) have been used successfully in a number of paediatric populations. The group intervention aims to give children a space to express their difficulties whilst also holding in mind their strengths and hopes, thereby creating a preferred identity incorporating their physical health condition. No studies were identified which described this approach in a paediatric epilepsy population or involving siblings, families and the multidisciplinary team.
The current paper describes a pilot intervention to facilitate a one-day psychoeducational Tree of Life group for children with epilepsy, their siblings and parents. Separate parent and sibling groups were facilitated concurrently. The groups were co-facilitated by Paediatric Psychology and Paediatric Epilepsy team members. Quantitative feedback was completed by the patient group. Patients, siblings, and parents provided qualitative feedback.
A total of 6 patients, 14 siblings and 15 parents attended the group. Quantitative feedback indicated some improvement in patients' confidence and knowledge of managing epilepsy, as well as some improvements in psychological adjustment and thoughts about epilepsy. 87.5% of patients and siblings detailed that they would recommend the group to others. Qualitative feedback from patients, siblings and parents indicated the helpfulness of relating to others and safely expressing difficulties.
The results indicated that this pilot group intervention was well received by children with epilepsy and their families. Future studies incorporating a larger sample are warranted to explore this further.
生命之树团体（一种叙事治疗技术）已在许多儿科人群中成功应用。该团体干预旨在为儿童提供一个表达困难的空间，同时牢记他们的优势和希望，从而创造一个包含他们身体健康状况的理想身份。没有研究描述过这种方法在儿科癫痫患者群体中或涉及兄弟姐妹、家庭和多学科团队的应用。
本论文描述了一项试点干预措施，以促进针对癫痫儿童、其兄弟姐妹和父母的为期一天的心理教育生命之树团体。同时进行了单独的父母和兄弟姐妹团体。由儿科心理学和儿科癫痫团队成员共同主持这些团体。患者组完成了定量反馈。患者、兄弟姐妹和父母提供了定性反馈。
共有 6 名患者、14 名兄弟姐妹和 15 名父母参加了该团体。定量反馈表明，患者的信心和管理癫痫知识有所提高，心理调整和对癫痫的想法也有所改善。87.5%的患者和兄弟姐妹详细表示，他们会向他人推荐该团体。来自患者、兄弟姐妹和父母的定性反馈表明，与他人建立联系和安全表达困难是有帮助的。
结果表明，该试点团体干预措施受到癫痫儿童及其家庭的欢迎。需要进行更大样本的未来研究来进一步探讨这一问题。
