title: Coping strategies in epilepsy: 50 drug-resistant and 50 seizure-free patients.
abstract: We investigated the coping styles and their correlation to psycho-social functioning in two groups of patients, the first group with drug-resistant epilepsy and the second with well-controlled epilepsy. The instruments administered were the following: the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (non-verbal intelligence), the Echelle Toulousaine de Coping, ETC (coping styles), the Self-esteem Questionnaire (self-esteem), the Self-efficacy Questionnaire (social self-efficacy), a Quality of Life Measure and a semi-structured interview on psycho-social adjustment. We found a significant difference in coping responses between the two groups: drug-resistant patients seemed to adopt the "denial" and the "exclusion" strategies more (P<0.05). On the contrary, seizure-free subjects used the "control" strategy more (P<0.05). A significant correlation between disengagement patterns and poorer social outcomes was pointed out, while "control" was associated with better social adaptation. Our findings provide evidence of the importance of coping assessment, considering the influence of these strategies on the well being of patients. Offering psychological support to epilepsy patients should be considered when orientating the effectiveness of the patients' coping styles.
authors.affiliation: Epilepsy Center, St. Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, Via A. di Rudini 8, 20142 Milan, Italy. ada.piazzini@ao-sanpaolo.it
authors.forename: Ada
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piazzini
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramaglia
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chifari
authors.forename: Elisabeth El
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Kiky
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Canger
authors.forename: Maria Paola
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Canevini
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants