Psychosocial Predictors of Psychopathology in Epilepsy

• Published in: British journal of psychiatry Vol. 156; no. 1; pp. 98 - 105
• Main Authors: Hermann, Bruce P., Whitman, Steven, Wyler, Allen R., Anton, Michael T., Vanderzwagg, Roger
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.01.1990; RCP
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adjustment; Adult; Economic stress; Epilepsies, Partial - psychology; Epilepsy; Epilepsy - psychology; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe - psychology; Female; Humans; Internal-External Control; Life Change Events; Life events; Locus of control; Male; Neurocognitive Disorders - psychology; Neuropsychological Tests; Personality Tests; Psychological distress; Psychopathology; Psychosocial factors; Psychotropic drugs; Sick Role; Social Adjustment; Social Support; Stigma
• ISSN: 0007-1250; 1472-1465
• DOI: 10.1192/bjp.156.1.98

The 30-item version of the GHQ was administered to 102 adults with epilepsy, and four sets of variables (neurological, psychosocial, medication, demographic) were used to predict psychiatric distress. Psychopathology was found to be associated with increased perceived stigma, elevated number of stressful life events during the past year, poor adjustment to epilepsy, financial stress, vocational problems, external locus of control, and an earlier onset of epilepsy. Multiple regression procedures reduced this list to three independent predictors of psychopathology: an increased number of stressful life events in the past year, poor adjustment to epilepsy, and financial stress.