SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ADOLESCENTS WITH IDIOPATHIC EPILEPSY - A COMPARISON TO CHRONICALLY ILL AND NONCHRONICALLY ILL PEERS

Studies examining the effects of chronic illness on adjustment in adolescents have yielded conflicting results. However, based on data from children, adolescents with epilepsy appear to be at risk for psychosocial problems. This study specifically examined adolescents with idiopathic (uncomplicated) epilepsy who may be classified on the mild end of the severity spectrum. Three groups aged 13-19 (34 with idiopathic epilepsy, 32 with other chronic illnesses, and 50 without chronic illnesses) were compared in school and social characteristics. The adolescents with epilepsy were similar to the comparison groups in most dimensions of social functioning. However, they were more likely to report attending classes for learning disabilities (p < 0.01). Compared to chronically ill peers, adolescents with epilepsy more often reported that they rarely discussed their disorder (p < 0.05) and were less likely to say that all their friends knew about their condition (p < 0.01). Results suggest that adolescents with idiopathic epilepsy of mild severity function well in most spheres of daily social life and may not carry the same risk of maladjustment as that expected for adolescents with more severe epilepsy. Nevertheless, even uncomplicated epilepsy may negatively impact aspects of academic functioning and influence social behaviors regarding the disclosure of the disorder to others.