Corrigendum: COVID-19 and parents of children with epilepsy: experiences and positive changes.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1079518.].

COVID-19 and parents of children with epilepsy: Experiences and positive changes.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to explore the ways that parents with children or adolescents with epilepsy (CAWE) experienced the restrictive measures, as well as the stressors and challenges that they had to face. Methods: We employed an experiential approach and fifteen Greek-speaking parents answered to an in-depth semi-structured interview, during the second lockdown period. Data were analyzed through the Thematic Analysis (TA). Results: The emerging themes were the challenges encountered in terms of medical monitoring, the "stay-home" impact on their everyday lives as a family, their psycho-emotional responses. More specifically, parents identified the irregular doctor appointments and their struggle to access the hospital services as the most important challenges. Moreover, parents reported that the "stay-home" impact has disrupted their children's daily routines among others. Finally, parents highlighted their emotional strain and worries experienced during the lockdown along with the positive changes that occurred.

Lived experiences, perceived positive outcomes, and post-traumatic growth among parents with children with epilepsy: A qualitative study.

Childhood-onset epilepsy alters the everyday life of parents who have children or adolescents with epilepsy (CAWE). The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of Greek parents with CAWE, including perceived positive outcomes in their lives, where research in this area is limited. Fifteen parents took part in semi-structured interviews which were conducted online due to the social distancing measures imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Main results showed that parents with CAWE experience stress, somatic symptoms, mood swings, fear along with feelings of anger, and a sense of injustice. Positive outcomes were identified at a personal level, in parenting skills, and in achieving family cohesion. Parents reported that they had achieved increased personal strength, new perspectives, better life appreciation, and changes in their spiritual beliefs. Moreover, they mentioned the acquisition of new parenting skills which helped them become better caregivers as well as feeling more united with other family members. The changes that parents identified are discussed in relation to aspects of the Post-Traumatic Growth construct, and future recommendations and implications for practice are proposed.

COVID-19 restrictions and psychological well-being of fathers with infants admitted to NICU-An exploratory cross-sectional study.

AIM: To describe the impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on the caregiving activities and psychological well-being of fathers with infants admitted to neonatal units. METHODS: Cross-sectional study using adapted COPE-IS and COPE-IU tools. Participants' recruitment occurred online via social media and parents' associations. Online survey in English, French and Italian were distributed and promoted via websites and social media platforms of parent's associations. The study was undertaken across 12 countries in Asia, Australia, Africa and Europe. RESULTS: A total of 108 fathers of NICU infants completed the survey. COVID-19 related restrictions were categorised into 3 types: no restrictions, partial and severe restrictions. Fathers who experienced partial restrictions reported more involvement in caregiving activities but high levels of emotional difficulties and sleeping problems compared to those who experienced full or no restrictions. CONCLUSION: Given the impact on the psychological well-being of fathers, restrictions should be avoided as much as possible in the neonatal unit and fathers given free access to their infants if they follow appropriate infection control precautions.

Lived experiences of Idiopathic Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients and the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The aim of this qualitative, experiential study is to explore the lived experiences of Idiopathic Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients related to psycho-emotional, social, and professional dimensions of their lives in general and, secondly, how they are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online on a sample of 10 IBD Greek-speaking patients by the end of the first lockdown period in Greece (June 2020). Thematic Analysis was employed. Research findings include participant psycho-emotional experiences, perceived social and work-related implications of the IBD disease, social support, and perceived positive outcomes in patients' lives, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dispositional Optimism, Stress, Post-traumatic stress Disorder and Post-traumatic Growth in Greek general population facing the COVID-19 crisis

The aim of this study is to explore psychological and mental health implications of social distancing and lockdown, in Greece in order to gain a better understanding of the COVID-19 crisis. For the purposes of this article, quantitative measures are used: the Greek versions of “Life Orientation Scale-Revised” (LOT-R) (Lyrakos, Damigos, Mavreas, Georgia, & Dimoliatis, 2010) to investigate the presence of dispositional optimism tendencies, “Impact of Event scale” (Mystakidou, Tsilika, Parpa, Galanos, & Vlahos, 2007) to assess the traumatic evaluation of the current events, “Perceived Stress Scale” (Andreou et al., 2011) to measure the stress levels amongst population, and “Posttraumatic Growth Inventory” (Mystakidou, Tsilika, Parpa, Galanos, & Vlahos, 2008) to examine positive aspects of the situation, are used. Questionnaires were distributed online a month after social distancing measures and three weeks following lockdown. The survey is addressed to general adult population and data collection lasted until the end of curfew (May 4th 2020). Hundred and sixty-seven (N = 167) participants completed the survey. Main results show that women obtain higher scores than men on the Impact Event Scale and they identify social distancing and curfew as traumatic events. However, men exhibit higher levels of Posttraumatic growth comparing to women, as to subscales “life appreciation” and “spirituality”. Stress and posttraumatic stress are highly correlated to PTG and enable its development in the context of COVID-19. Implications for research and practice will be recommended.