Coping strategies in epilepsy: 50 drug-resistant and 50 seizure-free patients.
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.
Piazzini
Ada
A
Epilepsy Center, St. Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, Via A. di Rudini 8, 20142 Milan, Italy. ada.piazzini@ao-sanpaolo.it
Ramaglia
Giovanna
G
Turner
Katherine
K
Chifari
Rosanna
R
Kiky
Elisabeth El
EE
Canger
Raffaele
R
Canevini
Maria Paola
MP
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
D000927:Anticonvulsants