Boundary ambiguity, coping patterns and depression in mothers caring for children with epilepsy in Taiwan

A descriptive correlational study was designed to examine the relationships between boundary ambiguity, coping strategies and depression in mothers caring for children with epilepsy. A total of 316 mothers were recruited from three medical centers in Taiwan. A pilot study established the reliability and validity of the Chinese language version of the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP). Results showed that boundary ambiguity was negatively associated with the total score by CHIP for family coping patterns I and II. In addition, family coping patterns I, II, and III were negatively associated with depression in the mothers. These results provide insight into family stress management strategies that are unique to these mothers and are associated with the relationships between boundary ambiguity, family coping patterns and outcome. The results also suggest methods to improve family centered nursing intervention, which may help mothers to establish effective interactions with their epileptic children as well as develop for them effective coping patterns to manage family stress. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.