Relationship between psychosocial care and attitude toward disease in adolescence with epilepsy

Epilepsy is a significant health problem in Iran as other countries. Previous
studies related to epilepsy in Iran are often associated with physiological aspects and
pharmacological therapy and little attention has been paid to psychosocial care, especially in
adolescence. Therefore aim of this research assessing the relationship between psychosocial care
and attitude towards illness.
Methods: A descriptive correlational design uses 74 adolescents within the Neurology Clinic,
affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2013. Data were collected using a tool
consisting of :(1)Patient demographic characteristics, (2)" child report of psychosocial care scale",
(3) "Child Attitude Toward Illness Scale". The validity of scale has done with content validity
and Cronbach's alpha was used for reliability. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis
(Spearman's test) was used.
Result: The results about adolescent attitude showed that the most item was “bad attitude due
to epilepsy" (59.8%). report of adolescent about ppsychosocial care showed more than half of the
patients in all items in subscale 1 (patient received explanation from doctor or nurse) are received
fewer explanations. In the subscale 2 (worry about seizure attack) greatest concern was "worry
about telling others about your seizure condition” (31.3%). In the subscale 3 (Informational needs)
more than half of patients require additional education and information in all items. There was a
significant positive correlation between psychological care with attitude toward illness (p<.05).
There is no evidence for routine psychological consultation for our sample.
Conclusion: Considering the results of this study on psychosocial care, indicates lack of
information and need training about disease, therefore attention and interference in the concerns
of epileptic adolescents through the educational materials such as pamphlets and booklets or
designing web site for patients, holding training sessions and group discussions for adolescents
could reduce their concerns and improve attitudes