A model of family adaptation to new-onset childhood epilepsy.

The onset of a chronic health condition such as epilepsy can interfere with the successful accomplishment of important psychosocial developmental tasks. Children with epilepsy are especially at risk for problems and often exhibit poor self-esteem, social withdrawal, and behavior problems. The purposes of this paper are first, to review the relevant literature on factors related to psychosocial adaptation in childhood epilepsy, and second, to present a model based on this literature to guide psychosocial nursing practice. Implications for psychosocial nursing care are discussed. Moreover, instruments for use in assessment of children and families are described, and instruments to assess need for psychosocial nursing care are presented.