Self-esteem, social support perception and seizure controllability perception in adolescents with epilepsy

Abstract

Objective: Compare the self-esteem of adolescents with epilepsy and adolescents without epilepsy and relate it to social support and seizure controllability perception. Method: The study sample consisted: case participants (34 subjects) attending the pediatric epilepsy clinic of University Hospital and control participants (30 subjects) from public schools in Campinas-SP. The instruments utilized were: identification card with demographic and epilepsy data, a semi-structured interview on aspects of the disease, and a SelfEsteem Multidimensional Scale. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups but majority of adolescents with epilepsy presented higher self esteem rate, have knowledge about epilepsy, presented high levels of social support and seizure controllability perception. There was no significant relationship between social support and seizure controllability perception with self-esteem. Conclusion: Knowledge about epilepsy, social support such good controllability seizure perception seem are important contingencies for a better evaluation of self esteem in adolescents with epilepsy.

In adolescents with epilepsy, high scores of anxiety and depression are associated with occurrence of seizures in public places

“…It has been noted the importance of psychosocial and psychiatric conditions and their influence in determining the well-being of individuals in a chronic medical condition 27 .…”

“…Siqueira et al 27 investigated aspects that show that these adolescents have good knowledge of epilepsy, good social support perception, perception of seizure control and no significant differences when compared with a control group in rates of self esteem. Cancian 30 observed that the same adolescents with epilepsy seem to have better coping with the disease.…”

Children’s Experiences of Epilepsy: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies

“…people seem to disappear. 40 In the past 2 years, because of my epilepsy and everything…the thought of suicide has been in my head…I'd say 4 to 8 times…once, I had the knife at my wrist and my mother came in and I just pretended I was drying it. 18 In interviews for work, I don't tell.…”

“…Boom, back with a vengeance. 40 Insurmountable side effects Some days it's really hard. Some days, when you don't feel good, when you're having to start out on a higher dosage of meds…And, trying to maintain, while your body's going through hell.…”

“…I am having just as many seizures then as I am now. 40 Financial burden You may have epilepsy, but the fact that you don't drive because of your epilepsy doesn't qualify you. If you can walk to the bus stop, you don't qualify [for transportation assistance].…”