Relations between Demographic, Clinical, Psychopathological Characteristics and the Ways of Coping for Psychosocial Adjustment in Epileptic Patients

Eun, Hun Jeong; Choi, Goan Ho; Lee, Sun Mi; Kim, Tae Hyoung; Choi, Mal Rye

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to understand the relations of demographic and clinical characteristics, psychopathology and ways of coping with psychosocial adjustment of epileptic patients. METHODS: The participants were 200 epileptic outpatients. They completed Korean version of Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory (K-WPSI), Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and The Ways of Coping Checklist (WCC). RESULTS: The results showed that frequency of seizure, education level, socioeconomic level, occupation, all of subscales in SCL-90-R and passive coping styles were significantly related to overall psychosocial functioning of epileptic patients. The global severity index score that indicated present psychopathology of SCL-90-R best explained overall psychosocial functioning. And the frequency of seizure, education level, socioeconomic level, occupation, and somatization were also significant factors. The global severity index score was explained by emotional focused coping, socioeconomic level, frequency of seizure, and problem focused coping. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggested that psychosocial adjustment of epileptic patients showed a significant relations with psychopathology, clinical and socioeconomic factors and the ways of coping.