Psychosocial functioning of adult epileptic and MS patients and adult normal controls on the WPSI

J Clin Psychol. 1986 May;42(3):528-34. doi: 10.1002/1097-4679(198605)42:3<528::aid-jclp2270420321>3.0.co;2-5.

Abstract

The psychosocial functioning of adult epileptic outpatients (N = 68) as assessed by the Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory (WPSI) was compared to that of control groups of adult MS outpatients (N = 37) and normal subjects (N = 42). When all WPSI profiles were considered, the epilepsy group showed distinct difficulties in Emotional Adjustment and Adjustment to Seizures, whereas the MS group had difficulties only in Emotional Adjustment. However, the MS group had significantly higher Lie Scale scores than did normal subjects. The epilepsy group had significantly more emotional problems than normal subjects and significantly more problems adjusting to their disorder than did the MS group. However, when only valid WPSI profiles were considered, the only significant finding was that the epilepsy group (N = 44) and the MS group (N = 20) had more emotional problems than normal subjects (N = 35). The epilepsy group showed distinct difficulties in Emotional Adjustment and Adjustment to Seizures, whereas the MS group had difficulties in Emotional Adjustment, Interpersonal Adjustment, and Overall Psychosocial Functioning. Implications are discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Deception
  • Emotions
  • Epilepsy / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • MMPI
  • Male
  • Multiple Sclerosis / psychology*
  • Personality Inventory
  • Social Adjustment*