Factors affecting the psychosocial adjustment of people with epilepsy

Abstract

Purpose: Epilepsy has a profound impact on patients' psychosocial adjusment. The level of, and factors affecting the psychosocial adjusment in patients with epilepsy may be different in Turkey where little is known about factors relating to psychosocial adjusment. However, these issues have not yet been addressed properly yet. This study examined the level of, and factors affecting the psychosocial adjustment in patients with epilepsy within a Turkish cultural contex. Methods: 102 patients with epilepsy completed Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and a questionnaire that assessed their psychosocial difficulties. Factors that could significantly influence psychosocial adjustment were identified via multiple regression analysis. Results: Participants' profiles most frequently peaked at the Adjustment to Seizure scale, followed by Emotional Adjustment and Vocational Adjustment scales. Psychosocial factors, such as anxiety, family life /social life satisfaction and social support, were more powerful predictors of psychosocial adjustment in people with epilepsy than the medical factors associated with epilepsy. Conclusion: These findings showed that psychosocial maladjustment is a significant issue for people with epilepsy in Sivas. Psychosocial factors outweighed the medical factors in determining psychosocial adjustment. Recognition of these factors may lead health professionals to develop different strategies to improve the psychosocial adjustment of these patients.