Examining change in the mental health of young people with epilepsy following a successful psychological intervention

TY - JOUR

T1 - Examining change in the mental health of young people with epilepsy following a successful psychological intervention

AU - MICE Study Group

AU - Nizza, Isabella E

AU - Smith, Jonathan A

AU - Bennett, Sophie D

AU - Chorpita, Bruce

AU - Cross, J Helen

AU - Heyman, Isobel

AU - Moss-Morris, Rona

AU - Blackstone, James

AU - Coughtrey, Anna E

AU - Dalrymple, Emma

AU - Shah, Mariam

AU - D'oelsnitz, Anaïs

AU - Shafran, Roz

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2024.

PY - 2024/10

Y1 - 2024/10

N2 - OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the cognitive, behavioural and affective processes involved in therapeutic change for young people with epilepsy and mental health difficulties receiving an integrated mental health intervention.METHODS: As part of a mixed methods convergent design, qualitative data were gathered in parallel to quantitative data at two timepoints in a randomised controlled trial testing the Mental Health Intervention for Children with Epilepsy in addition to usual care. Twenty-five young people and/or their families were interviewed before and after the intervention about the young person's mental and physical health, and their experience of therapy. Interview data were analysed inductively, idiographically and longitudinally using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis combined with Framework Analysis.RESULTS: The young people's emotional and behaviour problems improved, mirroring the trial's quantitative outcomes. Their anxiety decreased and behaviour improved as they acquired tools and understanding through therapy. Problems, like aggressive behaviours and emotional outbursts, were also reduced, with young people gaining increased awareness and ability to self-regulate and parents learning to contain their child's impulsive behaviours.CONCLUSIONS: The qualitative findings complement the MICE trial's significant positive quantitative results by providing insight and context to the therapeutic change, providing vivid insight into the mechanisms of therapy for individual families.

AB - OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the cognitive, behavioural and affective processes involved in therapeutic change for young people with epilepsy and mental health difficulties receiving an integrated mental health intervention.METHODS: As part of a mixed methods convergent design, qualitative data were gathered in parallel to quantitative data at two timepoints in a randomised controlled trial testing the Mental Health Intervention for Children with Epilepsy in addition to usual care. Twenty-five young people and/or their families were interviewed before and after the intervention about the young person's mental and physical health, and their experience of therapy. Interview data were analysed inductively, idiographically and longitudinally using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis combined with Framework Analysis.RESULTS: The young people's emotional and behaviour problems improved, mirroring the trial's quantitative outcomes. Their anxiety decreased and behaviour improved as they acquired tools and understanding through therapy. Problems, like aggressive behaviours and emotional outbursts, were also reduced, with young people gaining increased awareness and ability to self-regulate and parents learning to contain their child's impulsive behaviours.CONCLUSIONS: The qualitative findings complement the MICE trial's significant positive quantitative results by providing insight and context to the therapeutic change, providing vivid insight into the mechanisms of therapy for individual families.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85201828901&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1177/13591045241272781

DO - 10.1177/13591045241272781

M3 - Article

C2 - 39161214

SN - 1359-1045

VL - 29

SP - 1400

EP - 1416

JO - Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry

JF - Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry

IS - 4

ER -