Self-concept and gender effects in Korean adolescents with epilepsy

Sang Ahm Lee, Eun Ju Choi, Soonhak Kwon, Soyong Eom

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose We aimed to determine whether adolescents with epilepsy (AWE) have a compromised self-concept, whether a lower self-concept is related to mental health, and whether there are sex differences in self-concept in AWE. Methods A total of 179 AWE and 259 control adolescents without epilepsy participated in this cross-sectional, multicenter study. Self-concept was measured using the Harter's Self-Perception Profile for Children. Depressive symptoms and anxiety were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). A group-by-sex interaction was evaluated using an analysis of covariance controlling for age. Results Adolescents with epilepsy had a lower level of self-concept, especially in domains of behavioral conduct (partial eta2: 0.257) and social acceptance (partial eta2: 0.116), than controls (p < 0.05). The level of self-concept did not differ by sex in the group with epilepsy. A group-by-sex interaction effect was found on social acceptance (p = 0.042). Unlike the control group, age was not correlated with self-concept in AWE. Physical appearance was negatively correlated with HADS-anxiety scores (r = − 0.291, p < 0.01) but only in girls with epilepsy. Epilepsy duration was correlated with social acceptance in boys (r = 0.211, p < 0.05) and physical appearance in girls (r = − 0.249, p < 0.05). Conclusions Adolescents with epilepsy had a lower level of self-concept, especially in the domains of behavioral conduct and social acceptance, than controls. Sex differences in self-concept were identified in the control group but not in the group with epilepsy. Physical appearance was negatively correlated with anxiety in girls with epilepsy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)102-106
Number of pages5
JournalEpilepsy and Behavior
Volume61
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Aug 2016

Keywords

  • Adolescents with epilepsy
  • Depression
  • Physical appearance
  • Self-concept
  • Sex difference
  • Social acceptance

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