Supportive family with child who has undergone epilepsy surgery.

Empowering Families: How Epilepsy Surgery in Children Can Improve Parental Well-being

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 5 min read.

"A new study reveals the positive impact of pediatric epilepsy surgery on the mental health and quality of life of parents, offering hope and highlighting the need for comprehensive support."

Raising a child with epilepsy presents unique challenges for parents, often leading to increased stress, anxiety, and a diminished quality of life. Studies have consistently shown that parents of children with epilepsy experience higher rates of depression and anxiety compared to parents of children without the condition. This emotional strain can negatively impact not only the parents' well-being but also the overall quality of life for the entire family.

While managing a child's seizures and medical needs is a primary concern, it's crucial to recognize the significant emotional toll on parents. Limited research has explored the impact of epilepsy surgery on parental well-being, leaving a gap in our understanding of the broader psychosocial effects of this intervention. Recognizing changes in parental well-being is important for understanding the broad psychosocial impact of epilepsy surgery in children and young people and lead to the development of optimal support strategies.

Now, a new study sheds light on this important aspect, revealing that epilepsy surgery in children can lead to notable improvements in the mental health and overall quality of life for parents. The study, published in Epilepsy & Behavior, followed a group of parents whose children underwent epilepsy surgery, tracking their health-related quality of life (HRQOL), anxiety, and depression levels before and after the procedure. The results offer encouraging insights into the potential benefits of epilepsy surgery for the entire family unit.

Hope After the Operation: How Epilepsy Surgery Improves Parental Mental Health

Supportive family with child who has undergone epilepsy surgery.

The study, led by researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg in Sweden, aimed to evaluate changes in HRQOL, depression, and anxiety in mothers and fathers before and after their children underwent epilepsy surgery. The researchers also sought to compare parental HRQOL with reference values from the Swedish norm population and identify factors significantly associated with changes in HRQOL and parental emotional well-being.

The team studied fifty mothers and forty-four fathers of fifty children and young people. All the children were between one and twenty years old. The parents completed the Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale at baseline and at a two year follow-up.

Improved Mental Health: Both mothers and fathers showed significant improvements in mental component summary (MCS) scores on the SF-36, indicating better mental health and emotional well-being.
Enhanced Quality of Life: Mothers reported higher scores in physical functioning, role limitation-physical, bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, role limitation-emotional, and mental health domains. Fathers also experienced improvements in physical functioning and role limitation-physical.
Reduced Anxiety: Mothers experienced a significant reduction in anxiety scores, as measured by the HAD scale. While fathers also showed a decrease in anxiety, the change was not statistically significant.

These findings suggest that successful epilepsy surgery in children can have a ripple effect, positively impacting the mental health and quality of life of their parents. The reduction in seizures and improved overall health of the child can alleviate parental stress and anxiety, leading to a greater sense of well-being for the entire family.

Supporting the Whole Family: The Importance of Comprehensive Care

While this study offers encouraging evidence of the positive impact of epilepsy surgery on parental well-being, it also highlights the need for comprehensive support for families navigating this journey. Addressing parental mental health and quality of life should be an integral part of the care plan for children undergoing epilepsy surgery. By providing resources and support to parents, healthcare professionals can help ensure the best possible outcomes for the entire family. Further research is needed to explore the specific factors that contribute to changes in parental HRQOL and emotional well-being, paving the way for targeted interventions and support strategies.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2017.07.042, Alternate LINK

Title: Health-Related Quality Of Life And Emotional Wellbeing Improve In Parents After Their Children Have Undergone Epilepsy Surgery — A Prospective Population-Based Study

Subject: Behavioral Neuroscience

Journal: Epilepsy & Behavior

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Colin Reilly, Charles Taft, Anna Edelvik, Ingrid Olsson, Kristina Malmgren

Published: 2017-10-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is epilepsy surgery in children and why is it considered important?

Epilepsy surgery in children is a surgical intervention aimed at reducing or eliminating seizures in young patients who have not responded well to medication. It involves identifying and removing or disconnecting the specific area of the brain that is causing the seizures. The significance lies in its potential to improve the child's quality of life by reducing seizure frequency and severity, and in turn, positively impacting the mental health and overall well-being of their parents.

What tools or methods were used to measure the mental health of parents in the study?

The study utilized the Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) to measure health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale to assess anxiety and depression levels in parents. The Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores from the SF-36 indicated improvements in mental health, while the HAD scale showed a reduction in anxiety, particularly among mothers. These tools are important because they provide quantifiable data on the psychological impact of the surgery on parents.

What positive changes can parents expect after their child undergoes epilepsy surgery?

The study revealed that epilepsy surgery in children can have a positive ripple effect, leading to improved mental health, enhanced quality of life, and reduced anxiety in their parents. Specifically, mothers and fathers showed significant improvements in mental component summary (MCS) scores, and mothers experienced a significant reduction in anxiety scores. These findings highlight the interconnectedness of family well-being and the importance of considering the broader psychosocial effects of medical interventions.

Why is it important to have comprehensive support for families when a child undergoes epilepsy surgery?

Comprehensive support for families navigating epilepsy surgery involves addressing not only the child's medical needs but also the emotional and mental health needs of the parents. This can include providing access to counseling, support groups, and educational resources to help parents cope with the stress and anxiety associated with managing their child's condition. The significance of this holistic approach lies in its potential to optimize outcomes for the entire family unit and promote long-term well-being.

Are there any aspects of parental well-being that the study didn't explore in depth?

While the study focused on the impact of epilepsy surgery on parental well-being, it did not delve into the specific factors that contribute to changes in parental HRQOL and emotional well-being. Further research is needed to explore these factors, such as the severity of the child's seizures, the level of parental involvement in caregiving, and the availability of social support. Understanding these factors is crucial for developing targeted interventions and support strategies to address the unique needs of families facing epilepsy surgery.