Psychosocial adjustment of people with epilepsy in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE
In light of the issues associated with the psychosocial adjustment of people with epilepsy that have been widely reported, this study examined these issues within a Chinese cultural context.


METHODS
Fifty patients with epilepsy completed The Washington Psychosocial Inventory, the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, and a questionnaire that assessed their psychosocial difficulties and coping styles. Multiple regression procedure was used to examine the strength of various medical and social factors in predicting the psychosocial adjustment problems of these participants.


RESULTS
Social factors, such as self-perception and coping strategies, were more powerful predictors of psychosocial adjustment in people with epilepsy than the medical factors associated with epilepsy.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings showed that psychosocial maladjustment is a significant issue for people with epilepsy in Hong Kong. The emerging importance of social factors as predictors of psychosocial adjustment in epilepsy, as compared with medical factors, highlights the need for developing tailored counseling therapy and social support groups for people with epilepsy.
Lau
V W
VW
Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong.
Lee
T M
TM
Ng
P K
PK
Wong
V C
VC
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000927:Anticonvulsants