Self-compassion and adjustment in epilepsy and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

Abstract

PurposeSelf-compassion has been associated with a set of adaptive coping strategies, which in turn explain better adjustment in individuals with chronic illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether self-compassion is associated with adjustment in people with epilepsy (PWE) and people with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PWPNES). Adjustment was measured via coping efficacy, quality of life (QoL), anxiety, and depression. MethodA cross-sectional questionnaire design was employed. People with epilepsy (N = 74), PWPNES (N = 46), and controls (N = 89), recruited from outpatient seizure clinics and online, completed questionnaires about their self-compassion, coping efficacy, QoL, anxiety, and depression levels. ResultsOverall, self-compassion was associated with adjustment in PWE and PWPNES. Self-compassion was negatively related to anxiety and depression in PWE, PWPNES, and controls and positively related to coping efficacy in PWE and PWPNES. Self-compassion was also positively related to QoL in PWE and controls; however, this relationship was not significant in PWPNES. ConclusionSelf-compassion is associated with better adjustment in PWE and PWPNES. Implications of these findings for psychotherapeutic interventions for individuals with seizure disorders and future research are discussed.