A Pilot Study on Psychological and Social Impact of Epilepsy on Quality of Life of Adolescents

Abstract

Background of the Study: The impact of epilepsy on the quality of a teenager's life cannot be overestimated. Epilepsy affects a teenager's peer interactions, social life, education, career decisions, driving ability and much more. Communication with the teenager in regards to the effects of epilepsy may have on these issues is vital. While treating the seizures and all of the ramifications of the diagnosis is challenging, most teenagers can achieve the main goals of therapy - freedom from seizures and a high quality of life. Aims: The aim of the study was to assess psychological and social impacts of epilepsy on quality of life of adolescents. Objectives To assess the self-esteem level of adolescents with epilepsy To assess the depression level of adolescents with epilepsy To assess the social avoidance and distress level of adolescents with epilepsy To determine the quality of life of adolescents with epilepsy To determine the correlation between quality of life with self-esteem level, depression level and social avoidance and distress level To explore the association between self-esteem level, depression level, social avoidance and distress level with selected demographic level Methodology: This was pre experimental descriptive study design. The population involved in this study was 30 adolescents with epilepsy who is attending neurology OPD at selected hospitals and purposive sampling technique was used for the study. Data was collected using quality of life scale (QOLIE-48), Rosenberg Self-esteem scale, Birleson Depression scale, and David Watson and Ronald Friend Social avoidance and distress scale. Tools were administered to 30 adolescents with epilepsy who fulfilled the sample criteria. For 45-60 minutes. Data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics in terms of frequency distribution, percentage, mean, mean percentage, Standard Deviation, and Karl Pearson correlation was used to correlate quality of life with depression, self esteem and social avoidance and distress. Results: the outcomes of Karl Pearson correlation between the quality of life, self esteem, depression and social avoidance and distress of adolescents with epilepsy shows that the correlation between quality of life with self- esteem (r=0.489, p<0.05), depression (r= -0.395, p<0.05) and social avoidance and distress (r= -0.393, p<0.05) were significant, Hence, the null hypothesis was rejected and research hypothesis was accepted. It evidenced there was significant linear correlation between quality of life, self-esteem, depression, social avoidance and distress. Conclusion: The pilot study revealed that there was significant correlation between quality of life and self-esteem, depression and social avoidance and distress among adolescents with epilepsy further; it will be examined in main study with large sample. It also revealed that the tools for self –esteem, depression, social avoidance and quality of life are reliable and the study is feasible and practicable Keywords: Epilepsy, depression, Distress, social avoidance, Self esteem, Quality of Life, JPMR Effectiveness, Interventional Package, clinical variables and Socio-demographic variables.