title: The influence of epilepsy on children's perception of self-concept.
abstract: The diagnosis of epilepsy can lead to changes in the patient's perception due to factors such as learning and behavioral problems, lack of academic motivation, and low self-esteem. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the knowledge of self-concept in children with epilepsy and those with typical development and verify whether gender and age influence this perception. Eighty children of both sexes, aged between 8 and 14years, participated in this study. The children were divided into two groups: the epilepsy group, which consisted of 40 children diagnosed with epilepsy, and the control group, which consisted of 40 children with typical development and comparable to group 1 according to sex and age. The Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale, translated and adapted for the Brazilian population, was used as the evaluation instrument. In total, there were 23 boys and 17 girls in each group, with a mean age of 10.7years. There were significant differences in the overall score (p=0.000) and the subareas "behavior" (p=0.006), "intellectual and academic status" (p=0.001), and "popularity" (p=0.004). The group of children with epilepsy had a lower average score in self-concept. Children with epilepsy were observed to perceive themselves as clumsy, without many friends, with low academic performance and problems at school, and to experiencing feelings of unhappiness. These findings suggest that, in addition to the treatment of the clinical manifestations of epilepsy, it is extremely important to provide treatment focused on improving the self-concept of school-aged children with this condition.
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto CEP 14049-900, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: scatolini.flora@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Flora Lopes
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Scatolini
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Triangulo Mineiro, Avenida Getulio Guarita, 159, Nossa Senhora da Abadia, Uberaba CEP 38025-440, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: karina@to.uftm.edu.br.
authors.forename: Karina Piccin
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Zanni
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto CEP 14049-900, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: luziara@fmrp.usp.br.
authors.forename: Luzia Iara
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Pfeifer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012649:Self Concept; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Assessment; Epilepsy; Self-concept