Self-Concept in Adolescents with Epilepsy: Biological and Social Correlates

The purposes of this study were to (1) compare self-esteem in teens with epilepsy to the normative mean, and (2) identify which neurologic/epilepsy and social/familial variables are associated with self-esteem. Thirty-seven adolescents (aged 12-18 years) attending a pediatric neurology clinic comple...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pediatric neurology 2008-05, Vol.38 (5), p.335-339
Main Authors: Lee, Arden, BSc, Hamiwka, Lorie D., MD, Sherman, Elisabeth M.S., PhD, Wirrell, Elaine C., MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Epilepsy - epidemiology
Epilepsy - psychology
Female
Headache. Facial pains. Syncopes. Epilepsia. Intracranial hypertension. Brain oedema. Cerebral palsy
Health Status
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes)
Neurology
Pediatrics
Quality of Life
Self Concept
Severity of Illness Index
Social Behavior
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:The purposes of this study were to (1) compare self-esteem in teens with epilepsy to the normative mean, and (2) identify which neurologic/epilepsy and social/familial variables are associated with self-esteem. Thirty-seven adolescents (aged 12-18 years) attending a pediatric neurology clinic completed the Piers-Harris 2 Self-Concept Scale, Family Assessment Measure III, Child Attitude to Illness Scale, and a brief questionnaire about current seizure status (frequency, severity, and number of antiepileptic drugs). Neurology clinic charts were reviewed for seizure types, etiology, age at diagnosis, and number of failed therapies. While Total Piers-Harris t score and most subscales did not differ significantly from the normative mean, teens with epilepsy had higher scores on Behavioral Adjustment ( P < 0.04) and Physical Appearance and Attributes ( P < 0.03). On univariate analysis, number of current antiepileptic drugs ( P < 0.05) and Attitude to Illness and Family Function scores ( P < 0.02 for both) were significantly associated with self-esteem. On linear regression analysis, only the Family Function score ( P < 0.02) and number of antiepileptic drugs ( P < 0.05) were associated with total self-concept. We conclude that self-concept in teens with epilepsy is most strongly associated with Family Function. With the exception of current number of antiepileptic drugs used, epilepsy-specific factors are of minimal importance.
ISSN:0887-8994
1873-5150
DOI:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2008.01.011