The study on the correlation between social support and ecological executive function in adult patients with epilepsy

Abstract

Objective To explore the social support and characteristics of ecological executive function in adult patients with epilepsy, and their correlation. Methods Evaluate the social support and ecological executive function in 65 cases of adult epilepsy patients and 60 normal ones of the same gender, age group and educational level using the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS ) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-adult version (BRIEF-A). The date were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis. Results The scores of adult epilepsy patients in global executive composite, subjective support, objective support and support utilization of SSRS(respectively, 37.01±6.74, 19.51±4.77, 7.18±2.73, 7.45±1.75) were lower than those of the control group(respectively, 40.89±8.54, 23.52±2.85, 11.02±2.43, 9.55±2.88). The scores of adult epilepsy patients in global executive composite(GEC), behavioral regulation index(BRI) and metacognition index(MI) of BRIEF(respectively, 55.12±10.49, 53.74±10.35, 56.60±10.99) were significantly higher than those of the control group(respectively, 48.10±6.3, 47.18±5.84, 48.16±6.23) (P<0.01). SSRS scores, subjective support, objective support and support utilization were obviously negative to BRIEF scores, behavioral regulation index(BRI) and metacognition index(MI)(P<0.01). Seizure type and SSRS scores were closely related to BRIEF(P<0.01). Conclusion The epilepsy patients show a lack of social support and ecological executive function dysfunction.The lack of social support is significantly related with ecological executive dysfunction. Key words: Epilepsy; Social support; Ecological; Executive function