Is Psychosocial Care Related to Self-Concept and Depression in Adolescents with Epilepsy?
Abstract number :
K.02
Submission category :
Year :
2001
Submission ID :
2961
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2001, 06:00 AM
Authors :
J.K. Austin, DNS, RN, FAAN, Nursing, Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, IN; D.W. Dunn, MD, Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; J. Harezlak, MS, Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana
RATIONALE: Adolescents with epilepsy were found to have poorer self-concepts and more symptoms of depression than normative samples. Past research has not investigated the role of psychosocial care on child attitudes toward having epilepsy or on mental health outcomes. We examined for the possibility that psychosocial care would be related to child attitudes and the outcomes of self-concept and depression.
METHODS: Subjects were 160 adolescents with epilepsy ranging in age from 9 to 16 years. Data were collected from adolescents and their mothers using computer assisted telephone interviews. All scales had good reliability and validity in past research. Data were analyzed using a two-stage multivariable regression model. In the first stage, we identified predictors of child attitudes toward epilepsy and in the second stage we identified additional predictors of self-concept and depression outcomes after adjusting for child attitudes.
RESULTS: The psychosocial variables in the model (worries, unmet needs and family mastery and control) were significant predictors of child attitudes. Because self-concept and depression were highly correlated (r = -.76), we identified common factors predicting both. In addition to child attitudes, psychosocial care variables were independent predictors of self-concept and depression. Girls also tended to have poorer self-concepts than boys.
CONCLUSIONS: The study provides important information about psychosocial variables that should be targeted for intervention programs aimed at improving self-concept and reducing depression in adolescents with epilepsy. Girls should be specifically targeted for psychosocial interventions.
Support: NINR R01 NR04536