title: Self-perceptions of social function 2 years after pediatric epilepsy surgery.
abstract: The present qualitative study explored how participants perceive their quality of life within the social domain 2 years following epilepsy surgery. Semistructured, open-ended interviews were conducted with 27 participants (11-21 years old), 2 years following epilepsy surgery. Thirteen of the 27 participants were seizure free. Data were transcribed and coded inductively to allow for the identification of salient themes. Many of the seizure-free participants reported greater independence following surgery. However, most participants, irrespective of seizure status, continued to report some problems with peer relations and isolation. These findings suggest that self-perceived improvements in social function among seizure-free participants may require longer than 2 years to develop.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Applied Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Kathryn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Hum
authors.forename: Mary Lou
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Lucyna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lach
authors.forename: Irene M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Elliott
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D055815:Young Adult