Relationship of General Aptitude Test Battery scores to successful employment for epileptics in a rehabilitation setting

[Epilepsy as a social problem]

The article considers the problem of social restrictions caused by epilepsy. Information on historical aspects and discrimination of patients with epilepsy is presented. The authors consider factors influencing marital status of patients in different countries and present information on the differences in medical restrictions to driving in different countries and in the Russian Federation. Employment status of patients with epilepsy, restrictions related to objective reasons and attitudes of patients and others toward epilepsy are elucidated.

Client with epilepsy in a work Brazilian rehabilitation center

INTRODUCTION

People with epilepsy (PWE) may have problems in obtaining or maintaining regular employment because of restrictions related to their handicap, social prejudices and also high rates of unemployment of the population. The main aim of this pilot study was to know the vocational rehabilitation problems involving PWE sent to a vocational rehabilitation center (VRC) in Rio de Janeiro.

METHOD

Fifteen PWE were selected unbiased from those seen at the VCR. It was reviewed their records in the search of sociodemographic, health care, employment suitability and work rehabilitation data.

RESULTS

Only one person was eligible for the training program, four were ineligible, six were temporarily ineligible, and the other four do not necessitate the rehabilitation, but as the majority, the better seizures control.

CONCLUSIONS

The studied sample of selected PWE, but representative of the studied population, do not show any important successful in the vocational rehabilitation carried out at the VRC.

Psychosocial dimensions of epilepsy: a review of the literature

The literature on psychosocial dimensions of epilepsy has been reviewed utilizing the framework developed by Dodrill et al. (Epilepsia 1980; 21:123-35). Factors considered were family background, emotional adjustment, interpersonal adjustment, vocational adjustment, financial status, adjustment to seizures, and medicine and medical management. The published studies highlighted a number of issues and sometimes rendered varying and contradictory conclusions. In general, epilepsy fosters certain reactions in family members. If negative, these reactions may be detrimental to the person with epilepsy. The association between specific emotional adjustment factors and epilepsy is not conclusive. Studies have been published which support as well as refute this association. Studies indicate that persons with epilepsy experience lower rates of marriage and more sexual difficulties than do nonepileptic persons. Studies report greater unemployment and underemployment in epileptic persons than in the population at large. Studies suggest that some persons with epilepsy manifest an attitude of nonacceptance of self. Some are reluctant to disclose their disability to others. The studies also indicate the presence of a discriminatory attitude by some nonepileptic persons toward epileptic persons. Several factors are associated with successful medical management of epilepsy. The emphasis in research studies with regard to psychosocial aspects of epilepsy focuses predominantly on individual deficiencies rather than on strengths and abilities.