The aim of the study was to investigate the neurobiological and psychosocial factors that influence neuropsychological test performance in children with epilepsy from a non-Western rural background. The sample comprised 100 children with tonic-clonic seizures and 100 children with simple partial seizures between the ages of eight to twelve years. A third group of 100 children with chronic renal problems was used as a comparison to control for the effects of having a chronic illness. The findings of the present study indicate that in the epilepsy groups, seizure variables such as the age of onset, frequency of seizures and duration of seizures have an impact on self-esteem, adjustment and NEPSY scores. However, psychosocial and emotional factors appear to have a greater impact than neurobiological variables on the measured neuropsychological domains (attention/executive, language, sensorymotor and learning/memory functions). These findings are consistent with the theoretical perspectives used, combining the view of Piaget (1955) that cognitive development proceeds as a result of the child’s own activities, with Luria’s (1973) model of brain functioning and the stance of Vygotsky (1978) that development is a socially mediated process. The findings regarding the influence of neurobiological and psychosocial factors on neuropsychological test performance in children with epilepsy from non-Western backgrounds are similar to those of Western studies. Epilepsy presents with unique problems relative to other chronic illnesses. The three groups are separated according to differences in psychosocial (maternal attitudes), emotional (adjustment and self-esteem) as well as neuropsychological functioning (attention/executive, language and visual-spatial skills). The renal group is characterised by the highest levels of psychosocial, emotional and neuropsychological functioning, while the simple partial seizure group have lower levels of psychosocial and emotional functioning, and the tonic-clonic seizure group have the lowest levels of neuropsychological functioning and adjustment. / Psychology / D.Litt et Phil. (Psychology)

This study focuses on the way in which learners living with epilepsy, who attend mainstream schools in the rural areas of the Limpopo Province, experience epilepsy. The results of the study indicate that the needs of learners with epilepsy are not well-catered for in mainstream schools. They often experience fear, anxiety, humiliation, ostracisation, name-calling, scape-goating, blaming and suspicion. Recommendations were made regarding the measures which should be taken to address the needs of rural children living with epilepsy. These recommendations could be used by teachers and the Department of Education. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Guidance and Councelling)

In die studie is besin oor die wyse waarop die opvoedkundige sielkundige die probleme wat deur die epileptiese adolessente dogter ondervind word, kan aanspreek. 'n Groepterapeutiese begeleidingsprogram is ten doel gestel sodat die intra- en inter-psigiese effek daarvan op die epileptiese adolessente dogter bepaal kon word. Agt epileptiese adolessente dogters is vir die doel van hierdie studie geselekteer, waama hulle aan 'n reeks psigometriese toetse onderwerp is. Voorts het die onderskeie vakonderwysers 'n evalueringsvraelys voltooi. Daar is bevind dat die dogters in die algemeen 'n negatiewe selfkonsep het. Die meeste proefpersone was angstig en depressief. Verhoudingsprobleme en 'n gebrek aan doelstellings het ook onder hulle voorgekom. Volgens die literatuurstudie blyk dit 66k dat die epileptiese kind oor die algemeen 'n hoe voorkoms van psigo-sosiale probleme toon en <lat <lit dikwels lei tot 'n negatiewe selfkonsep. Faktore wat die psigo-sosiale wording van die epileptiese kind kan bei'nvloed, is neuroIV biologiese faktore (byvoorbeeld die tipe toeval), psigo-sosiale faktore (byvoorbeeld stigmatisering) en farmakologiese faktore (byvoorbeeld newe-effekte van medikasie ). Die proefpersone is onderwerp aan 'n groepterapeutiese begeleidingsprogram van tien sessies. Die program het gefokus op intra-psigiese aspekte soos die regstelling van negatiewe selfspraak, asook op die bewusmaking en oefening van interpersoonlike vaardighede. Uit die resultate van die na-toetsing kan afgelei word dat persoonlike groei plaasgevind het - in die algemeen was daar 'n verhoging ten opsigte van die selfkonsep. Interpersoonlike verhoudinge het skynbaar ook verbeter, terwyl angs afgeneem en depressie verminder het. Voorts het die proefpersone se skolastiese prestasie met 5,1 persent verbeter. Die groepterapeutiese begeleidingsprogram het dus 'n positiewe intra- en inter-psigiese effek op die epileptiese adolessente dogter gehad. / This study addressed the ways in which the educational psychologist can address the problems experienced by epileptic adolescent girls. Eight epileptic adolescent girls were subjected to a series of psychometric tests. The results indicated that in general, the majority of the girls were suffering from a negative self-concept, depression and anxiety. They experienced problems with relationships and reflected a lack of goals. The epileptic adolescent girls were subjected to a group therapeutic guidance programme. The programme focussed on intra- and interpsychological aspects such as the modification of negative self-talk and the exercising of interpersonal skills. The results of follow-up tests revealed that in general there had been an improvement of the self-concept. Apparently inter-personal relations had improved, whereas anxiety and depression had declined. At the same time, school performance had increased. Hence, the group therapeutic guidance programme had a positive intra- and interpsychological effect on the epileptic adolescent girls. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed.

This study focuses on the way in which learners living with epilepsy, who attend mainstream schools in the rural areas of the Limpopo Province, experience epilepsy. The results of the study indicate that the needs of learners with epilepsy are not well-catered for in mainstream schools. They often experience fear, anxiety, humiliation, ostracisation, name-calling, scape-goating, blaming and suspicion. Recommendations were made regarding the measures which should be taken to address the needs of rural children living with epilepsy. These recommendations could be used by teachers and the Department of Education. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Guidance and Councelling)

In die studie is besin oor die wyse waarop die opvoedkundige sielkundige die probleme wat deur die epileptiese adolessente dogter ondervind word, kan aanspreek. 'n Groepterapeutiese begeleidingsprogram is ten doel gestel sodat die intra- en inter-psigiese effek daarvan op die epileptiese adolessente dogter bepaal kon word. Agt epileptiese adolessente dogters is vir die doel van hierdie studie geselekteer, waama hulle aan 'n reeks psigometriese toetse onderwerp is. Voorts het die onderskeie vakonderwysers 'n evalueringsvraelys voltooi. Daar is bevind dat die dogters in die algemeen 'n negatiewe selfkonsep het. Die meeste proefpersone was angstig en depressief. Verhoudingsprobleme en 'n gebrek aan doelstellings het ook onder hulle voorgekom. Volgens die literatuurstudie blyk dit 66k dat die epileptiese kind oor die algemeen 'n hoe voorkoms van psigo-sosiale probleme toon en <lat <lit dikwels lei tot 'n negatiewe selfkonsep. Faktore wat die psigo-sosiale wording van die epileptiese kind kan bei'nvloed, is neuroIV biologiese faktore (byvoorbeeld die tipe toeval), psigo-sosiale faktore (byvoorbeeld stigmatisering) en farmakologiese faktore (byvoorbeeld newe-effekte van medikasie ). Die proefpersone is onderwerp aan 'n groepterapeutiese begeleidingsprogram van tien sessies. Die program het gefokus op intra-psigiese aspekte soos die regstelling van negatiewe selfspraak, asook op die bewusmaking en oefening van interpersoonlike vaardighede. Uit die resultate van die na-toetsing kan afgelei word dat persoonlike groei plaasgevind het - in die algemeen was daar 'n verhoging ten opsigte van die selfkonsep. Interpersoonlike verhoudinge het skynbaar ook verbeter, terwyl angs afgeneem en depressie verminder het. Voorts het die proefpersone se skolastiese prestasie met 5,1 persent verbeter. Die groepterapeutiese begeleidingsprogram het dus 'n positiewe intra- en inter-psigiese effek op die epileptiese adolessente dogter gehad. / This study addressed the ways in which the educational psychologist can address the problems experienced by epileptic adolescent girls. Eight epileptic adolescent girls were subjected to a series of psychometric tests. The results indicated that in general, the majority of the girls were suffering from a negative self-concept, depression and anxiety. They experienced problems with relationships and reflected a lack of goals. The epileptic adolescent girls were subjected to a group therapeutic guidance programme. The programme focussed on intra- and interpsychological aspects such as the modification of negative self-talk and the exercising of interpersonal skills. The results of follow-up tests revealed that in general there had been an improvement of the self-concept. Apparently inter-personal relations had improved, whereas anxiety and depression had declined. At the same time, school performance had increased. Hence, the group therapeutic guidance programme had a positive intra- and interpsychological effect on the epileptic adolescent girls. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed.