Rebellious Behaviors in Adolescents With Epilepsy

J Pediatr Psychol. 2018 Jan 1;43(1):52-60. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsx089.

Abstract

Objectives: The study aims are to (1) examine the prevalence of risk-taking (i.e., behaviors that can be categorized as rebellious or reckless) and (2) determine the influence of risk-taking on adherence, seizures, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adolescents with epilepsy. An exploratory aim was to identify predictors of risk-taking.

Methods: Fifty-four adolescents with epilepsy (M = 15.33 ± 1.46 years) and caregivers completed questionnaires on demographics, risk-taking, parent-child relations, adolescent inattention/hyperactivity, and HRQOL at four time points across 1 year. Seizure occurrence and electronically monitored adherence were also collected.

Results: Rebellious behaviors were normative and stable over 1 year in adolescents with epilepsy. Higher rebelliousness was related to poorer adolescent-reported memory HRQOL. The only significant positive predictor of rebellious behaviors was adolescent age.

Conclusions: Adolescents with epilepsy endorsed normative levels of rebelliousness, which is negatively related to HRQOL. Older adolescents may warrant clinical attention.

Keywords: adherence; family functioning; inattention; quality of life; seizure.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Epilepsy / psychology*
  • Epilepsy / therapy
  • Female
  • Health Status Indicators
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Parent-Child Relations
  • Patient Compliance / psychology*
  • Psychological Tests
  • Quality of Life / psychology
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Seizures / prevention & control
  • Seizures / psychology
  • Self Report