published_or_final_version / Psychology / Master / Master of Philosophy

The present study addressed areas of empirical uncertainty regarding the perception of emotion by individuals with complex partial seizure (CPS) disorder focusing on a particular and controversial theoretic 'enhancement' model (Bear & Fedio, 1977). In the main, CPS groups did not differ from each other or from non-seizure neurologic (multiple sclerosis) or healthy control groups. The findings provided little support for the theoretic model, in terms of the following hypothesized CPS phenomena: (1) internal (self-awareness) and external (external stimuli) perceptual hyperemotionality, (2) emotional and behavioral hyperemotionality, and (3) a unique personality profile. Overall, rather than finding support for an enhancement model--relative to the emotion perceptual processing of patients with complex partial seizures, the current study provides data more consistent with a deficit model.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary aim of this study was to explore a possible association between the coping styles and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) in the South African context. Twenty-two PNES patients (aged 14 years or older) with confirmed video EEG were recruited from Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic and Tygerberg Hospital. These participants were matched by age and gender with a healthy control group. Participants had to complete a demographic questionnaire as well as self-reported measures of HRQOL (SF-36v2 health survey) and coping strategies (the Ways of Coping (WOC) and the Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI)). Analyses of variances were performed to explore the differences between the PNES group and the healthy control group on the various measurement instruments. The association between specific coping strategies and HRQOL was investigated by calculating Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Multiple regressions were conducted to determine the extent to which HRQOL could be accounted for by each of the coping instruments. The results indicated that the HRQOL of the PNES group were significantly lower than the HRQOL of the healthy control group. The PNES participants utilised significantly more emotion-focused coping strategies, such as escape-avoidance and distancing coping strategies, in comparison to the healthy control group. The WOC and the CSI accounted respectively for 56% and 42% of the variance in the HRQOL of the sample. The results also indicated that the escape-avoidance coping strategies utilised by PNES participants had a significant negative effect on their HRQOL. The findings of this study provided greater insight into the coping strategies utilised by PNES participants, which have been identified as a risk factor in PNES. It also highlights that the type of coping strategies utilised by the PNES participants in our sample had a significant negative influence on their level of HRQOL. This is the first study of this nature on people with PNES in South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die primêre doel van hierdie studie was om te bepaal of daar 'n verband tussen spesifieke hanteringstyle en die gesondheidssverwante kwaliteit van lewe van pasiënte met psigogeniese nie-epileptiese aanvalle (PNEA) in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks is. Twee-en-twintig PNEA-pasiënte (14 jaar of ouer) met 'n bevestigde video-EEG-diagnose was gewerf uit die Constantiaberg Medi-Kliniek en die Tygerberg Hospitaal. Hulle is ten opsigte van ouderdom en geslag gepaar met 'n gesonde kontrolegroep. Deelnemers moes 'n demografiese vraelys voltooi asook vraelyste wat die gesondheidssverwante lewenskwaliteit (die SF-36v2 gesondheidsvraelys) en hanteringstyle (die hanteringsmeganisme-vraelys (WOC) en die hanteringstrategie-aanduider (CSI)) meet. Analises van variansies is uitgevoer om die moontlike verskille tussen die PNEA-groep en die gesonde kontrolegroep op die verskeie metingsinstrumente te ondersoek. Die verwantskap tussen spesifieke hanteringsmeganismes en gesondheidssverwante lewenskwaliteit is ondersoek deur Pearson se korrelasie-koëffisiënt te bereken. Verskeie regressiewe analises is uitgevoer om te bepaal tot watter mate hanteringsmeganismes gesondheidssverwante lewenskwaliteit kan beïnvloed. Die resultate het aangedui dat die gesondheidssverwante lewenskwaliteit van die PNEA-groep beduidend laer was as dié van die gesonde kontrole groep. Die PNEA-deelnemers het beduidend meer gebruik gemaak van emosie-gefokusde hanteringsmeganismes, soos die ontvlugting-vermyding en distansiëring hanteringsmeganismes, as die gesonde kontrolegroep. Die WOC en die CSI het bygedra tot onderskeidelik 56% en 42% van die variansie in die totale gesondheidssverwante lewenskwaliteit-telling van die steekproef. Die resultate het ook aangedui dat die ontvlugting-vermyding hanteringsmeganisme wat deur PNEA-deelnemers gebruik word 'n beduidende negatiewe invloed op hul lewenskwaliteit gehad het. Die bevindings van die studie bied meer insig oor die hanteringsmeganismes wat die PNEA-deelnemers gebruik het, wat al voorheen as 'n risikofaktor vir die ontwikkeling van PNEA geïdentifiseer is. Dit lig ook uit dat die tipe hanteringsmeganismes wat die PNEA-deelnemers gebruik het, hul gesondheidssverwante lewenskwaliteit negatief beïnvloed het. Dit is die eerste studie van dié aard van persone met PNES in Suid Afrika.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree in Masters of Technology: Nursing, Durban University of Technology, 2013. / Epilepsy is one of the world’s most common neurological disorders of the brain. It is a condition that affects individuals in most countries worldwide. However, there is still stigma attached to epilepsy, and the condition is often misunderstood. However, there are people who understand the condition and the care that PWE need. Aim of the study : The aim of the study was to describe the lived experiences of people with epilepsy. Methodology : A descriptive phenomenological methodology was used. This study is guided by Parse’s Theory of Human Becoming. In-depth interviews were conducted with eight participants. The main research question that was asked in this study was: What are experiences of people living with epilepsy? Results : The findings of this study revealed that people with epilepsy still face challenges unique to their lifestyles. The lack of knowledge among communities has led to negative experiences of people with epilepsy. Family members often provide support to people with epilepsy; especially female partners support their husbands.

Doctorat en sciences psychologiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished