[Psychosocial adjustment process in adolescents with epilepsy].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to explore the psychosocial adjustment process in adolescents with epilepsy in the context of Korean society and culture.


METHODS
A grounded theory method was used for data collection and analysis. Participants for this study were 9 adolescents who regularly visited an epilepsy clinic in a university hospital. The data was collected through in-depth interviews during the period from November, 2002 to June, 2003. Data collection and analysis were performed simultaneously.


RESULTS
Twenty-three categories emerged including 'suffering', 'psychological stigma', and 'social isolation from one's peers'. Categories were divided into paradigms which consisted of conditions, actions/interactions, and consequences. 'Reconstructing life' was the core category in this study. The theoretical scheme was described by organizing categories around the core category.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides a framework for the development of individualized nursing interventions to care for adolescents with epilepsy.
Moon
Seong-Mi
SM
Nursing Policy Research Institute, College of Nursing, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea. dalmazi89@hanmail.net
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012917:Social Adjustment