Impact of Epilepsy on Families: A Research Project

This research project explores the impact of epilepsy on families, focusing on the experiences of relatives of children diagnosed with the condition. Through interviews with healthcare professionals and a questionnaire survey of families, the study investigates the emotional, social, and financial burdens faced by families. The findings highlight the need for increased awareness, support services, and improved communication within families to mitigate the challenges associated with epilepsy.

Research Project: Impact of the
relative family with the child suffering
from Epilepsy

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Research proposal..........................................................................................................1
Resource project..........................................................................................................................1
Research Question.......................................................................................................................1
Where will your research take place?..........................................................................................1
Research Importance...................................................................................................................1
Wider Literature...........................................................................................................................3
Research Methodology................................................................................................................4
Access of Data collection............................................................................................................5
Timescale.....................................................................................................................................6
Chapter 2: Research diary................................................................................................................7
Research diary.............................................................................................................................7
Chapter 3: Data analysis................................................................................................................10
Interview with 2 health care professional of NHS.....................................................................10
Questionnaire data analysis.......................................................................................................11
Conclusion and Recommendation.............................................................................................18
Chapter 4: Presentation..................................................................................................................20
References......................................................................................................................................41

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Growing rate of epilepsy................................................................................................11
Figure 2: Age of child....................................................................................................................12
Figure 3: Gender of child...............................................................................................................13
Figure 4: Response to cause of epilepsy........................................................................................14
Figure 5: Impact of epilepsy on other............................................................................................15
Figure 6: Effect of epilepsy...........................................................................................................16
Figure 7: Solutions to epilepsy......................................................................................................17

Chapter 1: Research proposal
Resource project
Topic for the current resource is based on the impact of the relative family child suffering from
epilepsy. The abnormal and unconsciousness or neurological disorder is the disease which
termed as epilepsy. The aim of the study is to provoke the family member for the support of the
children those are suffering from the disease epilepsy.
Research Question
The study of research topic is to develop the encouragement among the relative for the disease
named epilepsy to under more about the topic few of the research question are given below:
 What do you mean by epilepsy and its influence in nearby surrounding?
 What are the major impacts of the relative family with the child suffering from
neurological disorder?
 What type of human behaviour is to be done with the child suffering from epilepsy and
procurement?
Where will your research take place?
The statistical data from the NHS cleared that child suffering from the disease epilepsy are
around 60% to 70%.exist. The study of NHS it was collected by the group of 50 family relative
to research on the above topic so that the health related issue can be solved in the 80%- 90% of
the area Namkung et.al. 2015.
Research Importance
Epilepsy has many significant effects on the child in childhood these are based on generally 4
types such as it can be behavioural, cognitional, physical and mental disorder. According to
McTague et.al (2015), study it has been proven that there are 44 neurological affects on
childhood impact which is much higher as from any comparison. So the research says that
epilepsy can be affect at the age of 5-17 Years so it is very much important to research on this
relevant topic and make people more procure and knowledgeable.
Why do you think the research is important?
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Research it is important to research on the topic so for the knowledge and to provoke families to
understand about the research topic more for the procurement and observance. As sometime if
the child is suffering from epilepsy it was difficult to observe the symptoms as it make harder for
families to find O'Toole et.al (2015). As per the report and research it has been observed that the
child those are affected by epilepsy have the gap of understand ability to reach on the existing
word and make it understand for example the one of the group of NHS found that report of the
child those are effected by epilepsy are same much same as compared to the adult statistical.
How does your research relate to existing debates in academic, society, work place etc?
The main aim of objective of research is to explore about the psychological and physical well
being for the people who are not aware of the epilepsy. The purpose of NHS is too aware the
concerned among the people of the society for the disease and NHS also arrange the debate as
per Camfield et.al (2017), group created in schools, collages etc. The main concern of the
organisation is not only to under the topic but aim and purpose is to involve on the people for as
much as so that it will be easily for give knowledge and make them involve in such a manner so
that they can understand about the epilepsy as much as they can Namkung et.al. (2015).. NHS
divide the 20 group of relative so that they can create a awareness in the society, with the help
for social events, academic by tying up with many school and colleges so that by giving the
debated and in work place they are trying to convince people of the organisation so that can give
the speech and make the people aware of it.
How would you justify the interest in topic?
The topic is important to create a interest in mind so that we can research more in this topic and
can help those how are suffering from this epilepsy disease. Research project which was
assigned is require more consideration among the study of psychological, metal and medical
aspect too so those in cases of emergency it be procure according. The study it is very important
to spend the knowledge of the families those are affected by the epilepsy so that we can support
them with the help of medical facilities and can provide them the strength to not to get impact
from this disease. Such meticulous topic can lead to improve the health for the affected people
those who really don’t even have the knowledge of epilepsy not only this we can improve the
quality of treatment so that it cannot impact the people.
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Wider Literature
About the impact of the relative family with the child suffering from epilepsy
As per Allers et.al. (2015) epilepsy is the cause of disease with learning difficulties, the
emotional impact of parent and family member can affect the child suffering from the
insecurities. The parent and family must be in consideration of the emotions, stress under
controlled so that it cannot affect the child suffering from the epilepsy. According to Jones and
Reilly, (2016), survey of the NHS there are various type of organisation which are proving the
medical facilities for the effected child, parent and grandparents and also making awareness
among the people.
As per the research of NHS there are 50% of the clinics which are available now around for the
treatment of the epilepsy. The researcher is searching for different ways for both the child and
aged people about the impacts and causes during the disease. The people suffering from this
disease sometime get difficulties in understanding and learning. The term epilepsy is used for
different type of neurological order such as seizures it is high risk increasing and increase the
mental disorder the main cause of the epilepsy are explained below:
Brain damage and injury, it is observed from the study the cause of the epilepsy can be occurred
while any injury and damage in the brain, we cannot found epilepsy at the time of inquiry it
occurs in the week, a month or a year. Genetic factor, The epilepsy can be occur family member
to member as it can be observe in genetic way like from one family member to other. According
to Jones and Reilly, (2016), the research and study the researched will provide more
enhancements in the technology so that it can be answerable for the researchers.
Significance of the impact of the relative family with the child suffering from epilepsy
As pr Karakis, et.al (2014), the study the impact of epilepsy if it effect the one of the family
member than there will be chances to that it can be explore in the family member and relative
too. The significance of the epilepsy can be described as that it can cure with the help of proper
medical treatment and knowledge of the disease so that it cannot cause any unaffected mental
stress to the patient. According to Mameniskiene et.al (2015), patient those who are suffering
need to take care very carefully as we cannot consider this as a metal disorder but need to take
few step for procurement of the disease. According to previous research it has been proven that
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in this type of brain disease there are might few chances that patient can suffer from the memory
difficulties. It can consider that the patient may not remember the memory and can place the
difficulties in learning and remembering the few things that might he won’t be abe to understand
and forget early
Impact of the epilepsy among the relative family with the suffering child
According to Heersink et.al (2015), the Study it is observed that the child those who are
experiencing the seizures can be affected by the multiple problems such as emotional and
behavioural problems. The generic measure of the disease in childhood is through the stress and
mental disorder as if the child is suffering from the inconvenience among the family member and
the people living nearby the patient is the first step toward the epilepsy. The quality of life to the
concern of the health of any of the people and the major impact of the epilepsy is that it is not
only known by the people it can be increase as the due the lack of the knowledge.
As per Scheffer, (2014), the study it has been that there is lack of relative in terms of research
there are many organisation those are working on the childhood treatment and making them as
well as capable. The major impact of the child suffering from the epilepsy it that he might be
understandable the things easily and can also forget the things easily the memory will become
very slow and the neurological strain will stop working which may cause the memory loss and
shorten. As per study this type of symptoms in the patient sometime make the family to lose the
hope for the patient as it become the emotion strain for the family to face all the constraint . To
avoid the conventional problem the family relative should not affect the patient in the same ways
and should avoid the emotional constraints.
Research Methodology
The research the NHS recruited people for the procurement of the epilepsy so that it can be cure
slowly among the people and the main aim of the groups is to do the visiting among the
particular assigned by the organisation and make visit over there and find out statistical data that
how many child and aged are affected by the disease Lewis, (2015). The study it has been found
that the NHS not only working with the statistical data but it is also working and find the
different medication treatment for the effected child and people so that it can be cure and easily
Taylor et.al. (2015). The purpose of the study is to explore the awareness among one other as and
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to avoid the stress , social constraints and other ways which directly effect on the life of the
patient the main aim for to avoid the risk from the patient is to avoid the problem in which it
feels problematic and effect the brain. The support of family should be always there to reduce the
risk of memory shortness and forget the things easily few of the risk reduction techniques should
be used so that it cannot affect the customer as much.
Access of Data collection
The study for the topic the impact of relative family with the child suffering from epilepsy the
asses of data is collected on the basis of the primary and secondary search. according to the NHS
it has been researched that the numerical range of the effected statistical data is not only ranged
from the cities but the research is also done in the village and rural area the ranging of overall
child has been checked like among every 2 poor from 7 excellent Silverman, (2016). NHS the
percentage of the research is highly programmed to develop the qualities to improve the medical
facilities that are affected by the disease. Current research will focus on both primary and
secondary data such as Questionnaire will be given to 20 Respondents and 2 healthcare
professional will be interviewed from the NHS.
There are so many other organisations which are also working on the same for reduction of the
epilepsy and to increase the awareness and knowledge among the people not only from cities but
also from villages. 10% of the organisations are working on the child health programmes to
slow down the level of health issue and use the advance technologies of machine in the area of
hospitalisation where the people can take the benefit of the proper treatments. NHS working on
to create of expandable research to increase the groups so that is more reliable for the people
those who are not able get the proper facilities in case of any health related issue and problem.
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Timescale
To complete the above research, it has been divided into various activities and within the suitable
time and period. The research will be completed in 5 weeks with the completion of different
activities in each of the week. In addition, below timescale will help to complete each of the
stage on the time that will deliver our effective results:
Activities/Schedule Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5
Research project
development
Introduction
Literature Review
Research
methodology
Data Analysis and
interpretation
Conclusion and
recommendations
Final submission
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Chapter 2: Research diary
Research diary
Date Research elements Summary Next action
Week
1
 Choosing the
research topic
 Selecting a
business or
organisation
 To contact with
one of the friend
working at NHS
 To convince
friend to take
part in research
During this week, I was quiet
nervous to convince my friend
for taking participation in
research project. I was
challenging for me to select
appropriate research topic and
coming on the conclusion
regarding choosing epilepsy as
diseases that is causing impact
on the lives of the family.
I did my research on the
administrative basis. I responded
to my friend in very polite
manner to help me to conduct my
research projects. I need get to
the consent of taking reviews of
the family whose children are
facing from such disease. In
addition, prior to taking the
reviews I researched about the
data of NHS regarding how
many of children are facing with
the epilepsy.
Week
2
 To complete
with my
research
proposal
 To proceed for
data collection
 To properly
assess the
questions
 To conduct
session with the
suffered
families
I completed my research
proposal with designing the
accurate research questions. It
was quite challenging to design
the interview questions and also
to convince management of
NHS to talk to certain families. I
was also supposed to concern
about the ethical values and
emotions of the families to
respond towards the answers.
Still my research proposal was
not complete as I need to
perform secondary research to
understand about the impact of
I need to complete my research
proposal with conducting the
entire literature and developing
the greater understanding about
the research topic and its key
influence on the lives of the
peoples. After completing the
understanding about the topic I
will then take steps to conduct
sessions with suffered families.
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the epilepsy.
Week
2
 To complete
questionnaire
 To start entire
data collection.
 Implement the
formulated
plans
With this I have completed my
research questionnaire. Now I
have asked my friend to
organise my meeting with
management of NHS. In this I
have requested operational
manager of NHS to help me
with research project and offer
me data regarding patients that
are suffering from epilepsy.
I faced many of the challenges to
gather data of the families and
organise a campaign for inviting
those parents that are facing from
the problems of epilepsy. In
addition, I am supposed to deal
in patient manner to convince
management of NHS to complete
my entire research topic.
Week
3
 To complete the
entire data
collection
 Analysis of the
data
I have gathered all the
information through sources of
primary and secondary methods
that had helped me to perform
my next actions of analysing the
data. The data is collected from
the views of the families that are
majorly suffering from the pain
of children that are going
through the stages of epilepsy.
This provided me greater
experience with completing the
entire research and also to
analyse the pain and suffering
from the family members. In
addition, will then conclude the
data and evaluate by presenting
some of the conclusions and
recommendations that will help
me to provide effective
recommendations for improving
the research conducted in the
future.
Week
4
 Giving
conclusion and
recommendatio
n
 Presentation
I have presented the necessary
conclusion and recommendation
and I will also be presenting my
findings through the suitable
methods of presenting the data.
I need to present my findings and
I will be waiting to get feedbacks
from my tutor regarding strength
and weakness and also I will be
able to able to draw effective
understanding and learning out
of the entire research project.
Week
5
 Reviewing the
final draft of
I will submit my entire research
project by proper monitoring
and supervision and then I can
To analyse the feedbacks from
the tutor and take suitable actions
to fill the gap between actual
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research project
 Final
submission
proceed for proper submission
of the project.
delivery of the project and what
actually it will be.
With formulating different activities throughout the research project, I will be able to develop the
greater understanding of the actual impact of the epilepsy on family members. With this, I
followed the suitable and systematic process for completing the research project. However, I just
faced challenge to gather views of the families as they were not taking any of the interest in
answering questions regarding the impact of epilepsy.
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Chapter 3: Data analysis
Interview with 2 health care professional of NHS
Interview questions
 At what rate the problem of epilepsy is increasing among family members?
 Do epilepsy spreads among different family members of children?
 What is the critical impact of epilepsy on children with family members?
 Do you think it can be resolved with time and professional treatments?
Respondent 1:
Based on the analysis of the interview conducted from one of the health professional from NHS
it can be said that people facing with epilepsy feel scared and sad and feel helpless how to
respond to such problem and how to deal with it accordingly. Professional said that it is
necessary for family member to have checked up of their children as the relationships changes or
during the birth of the child. It causes severe impact as people began to feel mental disorders,
sleepy state, memory loss, etc Humphries, (2017). According to the statistics of growth rate of
epilepsy, professional recommended that it takes 22-32 weeks to cause epilepsy in children from
their family members. However, it can be resolved with routine checkups, improving the home
environment, parent’s needs to pay attention towards health conditions of their children.
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Figure 1: Growing rate of epilepsy
Respondent 2:
With taking interview from this professional, it came to analyse that it can act as a sign for
danger to family and future of the children that are mainly going through such stages. Epilepsy in
children not only impact on the individual but also on all members of the family. US people are
facing major cases of epilepsy and the percentage of increase in number of patients is increasing
that might cause severe harm to the people and also on their family members. Professional
analysed the reason for cause as if there is any of the medical uncertainty that affects such as
heath attacks of father, migraine attacks of mother, etc that affect the entire family members.
Studies show that major cause of epilepsy is the most difficult situations for all the members of
the family Beghi, (2016). However, negative impacts of the children leave family in stressful
conditions such as emotional breakdown, financial problems, etc. Professional also recommends
that if treated at first and earlier stage can help to overcome the problem. Other major impact is
needed to borne by family members in emotional and financial terms.
Questionnaire data analysis
1. What is the age of your children suffering from epilepsy?
 5-9 years
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 10-13 years
 14-17 years
Options Response Total number of respondents
0-5years 7 20
6- 13 years 8 20
14-17 years 5 20
35%
40%
25%
Age
0-5 years 6- 13 years 14-17 years
Figure 2: Age of child
Based on the analysis of the diagram, respondents chosen are family members whose children
are facing epilepsy due to different causes. Children belong from the age group 0-5 years, 6-13
years, 14- 17 years and majority of age groups are 6-13. However, if any of the parents might
have such suffering will spread slowly among the children in the family.
2. Gender of your child?
 Boy
 Girl
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Options Response Total number of respondents
Boy 12 20
Girl 8 20
60%
40%
Gender
Boy Girl
Figure 3: Gender of child
Based on the analysis of the response of the respondent, it can be analysed majority of children
are boys and minority is of girls. This analysis will help to analysis the impact of family
members with boy or girl. It is necessary to analyse impact on both the gender systems as both
have different body and systems to have the capability of any of the disease.
3. What do you think is the main cause of epilepsy?
 Heredity
 Improper food consumption
 Stress
 Birth problems
Options Response Total number of respondents
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Heredity 5 20
Improper food
consumption
6 20
Stress 6 20
Birth problems 3 20
25%
15%
20%
40%
Response
Heredity Improper food consumption
Stress Birth problems
Figure 4: Response to cause of epilepsy
Parenting in the busy schedule is one of the important Jobs that are very demanding and very
difficult to look after their children and to overcome them from all the serious diseases.
However, it is necessary to analyse the response to cause of epilepsy that is growing among the
children. With reference to above graph, families have been offered questionnaire. Parents while
dealing with the treatments of their children might have different reasons to analyse that why this
diseases are occurred in the children. It can be analysed that 40% people say due to heredity
among the family members, 20% sat due to stress conditions of the family, 15% say due to
improper food consumption and 25% due to problems during birth problems. In addition, it can
be observed that, major cause of this disease might be behind birth and heredity. Studies
conclude the same that negativity in health conditions can cause impact on other family members
causing epilepsy Scheffer, (2014).
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4. Have you observed the impact of epilepsy on family members?
 Yes
 No
Options Number of respondents Total number of respondents
Yes 18 20
No 2 20
90%
10%
Response
Yes No
Figure 5: Impact of epilepsy on other
With reference to above graph, it can be concluded that 90% people are agreed that if one people
is having such problem, it is causing harm to other family members. This acts as negative sign
for health and social care sector to increase the cases of growing epilepsy among family
members. However, it is needed to be cured while dealing with the symptoms and cause of such
disease.
5. How epilepsy in your children impacted on lives of other?
 High cause of isolation
 Mental disorders in another family member
 Stressful environment
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 Negative family functioning
Options Number of respondents Total number of respondents
High cause of isolation 6 20
Mental disorders in
another family member
5 20
Stressful environment 5 20
Negative family
functioning
4 20
30%
25%
25%
20%
Response
High cause of isolation
Mental disorders in another family member
Stressful environment
Negative family functioning
Figure 6: Effect of epilepsy
From the above pie chart, it can be analysed that this disease causes various problems such as
mental disorders, high isolation, stressful environment, negative family functioning, etc.
However, different parents has observed different impact that is needed to be treated with
support of quality of life care and advancement in science and technology can bring solution to
this problem.
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6. The frequency of your visit to a doctor for regular check-ups is an important aspect for
overcoming such disease?
 Disagree
 Neutral
 Agree
Options Number of respondents Total number of respondents
Disagree 4 20
Neutral 6 20
Agree 10 20
20%
30%
50%
Number of respondents
Disagree Neutral Agree
Figure 7: Solutions to epilepsy
With reference to above image, it can be analysed that 50% are in support to maintain healthy
life and 30% are still on the neutral stage as they might think that it occur from heredity of the
family or improper environment. 20% are not in support as they might have face loss of their
family member or are facing many of the hurdles to deal with such situations of overcoming the
severe problems of epilepsy.
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However, overall analysis of the data collected from the family members and the respondents it
can be analysed that Epilepsy makes people scared and helpless. The hidden nature of epilepsy
makes it even difficult for families to deal with different situations and severe comfortable living
to their children. It can be analysed that being a part of family can treat people in serious
conditions and affect relationships within the family. It is necessary to talk to the family
members and have discussions about the impact of epilepsy Heersink, et.al. (2015). In addition,
parents are supposed to take qualitative care of children if they are themselves suffering from
such cause. Treatment is needed to be provided at growing and earlier stage. Also advanced
technology and skilled doctors and professionals are helpful in curing with such problems and
aid to provide healthy living to the people.
Conclusion and Recommendation
The impact of the epilepsy on family and relative are concluded that the patient those are
affected by the disease are caused by the genetic or inquired in brain it can be accidental as well
it can be genetic both are the major factor which are caused . The families in which the children
are suffering from such neurological constraints must keep the emotions under the control so that
it does not affect the child. As per the study we have already understand that in such type of
problem which are caused 1 among 10 peoples it can be child from the age of 5- 17 is due to the
memory loss and memory un-functional conditions of brain strains . It is observed that many
people those are affected by the this type of diseases can be recover by the proper treatment
regular treatments and get back to normal life but it take time and patience.
For the procurement of the epilepsy it is very much important to take the major action on the
reduction and increase of the disease in one or more, as per the research and study it has been
concluded that now days the technologies are expanding and improving the procedure to develop
the medical technology but according to research it should enhance more and include the high
level of the technologies in the medical field so that the it could not affect the people, socially
and uneconomically unrealisable, The research should be expand more and should involved new
process so that it can easily worked with and useful with the researchers Beghi, (2016). The
techniques should be more regular conciliation should be provided to the people so that it can be
easy for them significant improvement in technologies and identification of the risk should be
analyst so that they patient ultimately feel satisfactory.
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Chapter 4: Presentation
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References
Books and Journals
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Scheibe, F. and Jan, S., 2015. The economic impact of epilepsy: a systematic
review. BMC neurology, 15(1), p.245.
 Bautista, R.E.D., Shapovalov, D. and Shoraka, A.R., 2015. Factors associated with
increased felt stigma among individuals with epilepsy. Seizure-European Journal of
Epilepsy, 30, pp.106-112.
 Beghi, E., 2016. Addressing the burden of epilepsy: many unmet needs. Pharmacological
research, 107, pp.79-84.
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transition from pediatric to adult care for youth with epilepsy: Basic biological,
sociological, and psychological issues. Epilepsy & Behavior, 69, pp.170-176.
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epilepsy. Epilepsy & Behavior, 51, pp.286-293.
 Humphries, B., 2017. Re-thinking social research: anti-discriminatory approaches in
research methodology. Taylor & Francis.
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treatment, 2014.
 Lewis, S., 2015. Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five
approaches. Health promotion practice, 16(4), pp.473-475.
 Mameniskiene, R., Sakalauskaite-Juodeikiene, E. and Budrys, V., 2015. People with
epilepsy lack knowledge about their disease. Epilepsy & Behavior, 46, pp.192-197.
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 McTague, A., Howell, K.B., Cross, J.H., Kurian, M.A. and Scheffer, I.E., 2016. The
genetic landscape of the epileptic encephalopathies of infancy and childhood. The Lancet
Neurology, 15(3), pp.304-316.
 Namkung, E.H., Song, J., Greenberg, J.S., Mailick, M.R. and Floyd, F.J., 2015. The
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disabilities, 120(6), pp.514-526.
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 Silverman, D. ed., 2016. Qualitative research. Sage.
 Taylor, S.J., Bogdan, R. and DeVault, M., 2015. Introduction to qualitative research
methods: A guidebook and resource. John Wiley & Sons.
 Thompson, R., Kerr, M., Glynn, M. and Linehan, C., 2014. Caring for a family member
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