There has been a longstanding concern in the field of epilepsy that, although progress continues to be made relative to medical management of epilepsy, attention is less focused on social adjustment of individuals with epilepsy. For many people with epilepsy, the continuing social reality of their condition lies as a stigma. While there have been documented improvements in public attitudes towards epilepsy, the remnants of "old" ideas about epilepsy continue to inform popular concepts resulting in a difficult social environment for those affected. The social and quality of life problems arising from a diagnosis of epilepsy can represent greater challenges than warranted by its clinical severity. The relationship between stigma and impaired quality of life is well documented. We need to champion a better resourced research agenda into the social realities of epilepsy, and the ways these can be improved.
Epilepsy ; Quality of Life ; Social Adjustment ; Social Environment

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate measurement properties of self-report questionnaires measuring the social adjustment for youth after treatment of childhood cancer. METHODS: Social adjustment measurement tools were identified through a two-stage systematic review. First, we searched for articles using self-report questionnaires to measure the social adjustment of youth after the treatment of childhood cancer. The appropriate tools were listed and categorized. Second, using methodological filters, we searched 5 electronic databases for articles examining the measurement properties of the tools when used with youth after the treatment of childhood cancer. The quality of these papers was then evaluated using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. RESULTS: Eight tools were frequently used to measure social adjustment. Eight studies investigated the measurement properties of 4 of these tools. The PedsQL 4.0 and MMQL-AF had moderate to strong evidence in some domains, but the rest of the domains had a lack of evidence. The SF-36 and KIDSCREEN-27 were validated for only a few areas. CONCLUSION: We found a lack of evidence regarding the measurement properties of these tools. More research is required on the measurement properties of tools for use in this population.
Adolescent ; Checklist ; Humans ; Social Adjustment ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the attributes of social adjustment among adolescent cancer survivors using concept analysis and to propose a definition of the concept. METHODS: In accordance with the hybrid model of concept analysis, this study employed a three-phase circular process comprising theoretical, fieldwork, and final analysis phases. A thorough literature review was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, and Korean databases, followed by qualitative fieldwork with seven participants. The results derived from the theoretical and fieldwork phases were integrated into the final analysis phase. RESULTS: Four attributes of social adjustment were found in adolescent cancer survivors: having harmonious relationships with friends, having harmonious relationships with boy/girlfriends, fulfilling their present roles, and planning for and expecting future roles. The following definition of social adjustment of adolescent cancer survivors is proposed: “the conquering of difficulties arising from the continuum of childhood cancer and the achievement of the developmental tasks of typical adolescents.” CONCLUSION: Social adjustment of childhood cancer survivors is crucial for integrating them into society. The findings of this study provide a basis for developing an instrument to measure the social adjustment of adolescent cancer survivors and for developing of interventions that target this group.
Adolescent ; Friends ; Humans ; Social Adjustment ; Survivors

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to explore ways in which social adjustment (SA) is enhanced and to investigate the structure of relationships among mental health state (MHS), the de-velopment of personal skills (DPS), and the development of environmental resources (DER) through structural equation modelling. METHODS: The research data were gathered by collecting self-administered questionnaires from 689 service users recruited from 62 mental health organizations in South Korea. RESULTS: Firstly, in the result of path estimates of measurement and theoretical model, especially MHS, the DER had a significant effect on the SA, the DER had a significant effect on the DPS, and the DPS had a significant effect on the SA. In contrast, MHS showed no significant effect on the DPS, and the DER showed no significant effect on the SA. Secondly, MHS and the DPS had direct effects on the SA, while the DER had indirect effects on the SA. Finally, the DER full mediating effects of between MHS and DPS ; another full mediating effects of DPS between DER and SA. CONCLUSION: Several intervention strategies for improving social adjustment were identified and presented. I found that much of your results section was difficult to understand without access to your full paper. For example, I have no details of your theoretical model and was unsure what form of structural equation modeling you used. My editing, especially of the way in which you reported your results, may therefore be inaccurate and certainly less helpful than I would have liked. Please accept my apologies for this.
Humans ; Mental Health ; Models, Theoretical ; Negotiating ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Social Adjustment

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop the Korean version of the Social Adjustment Scale II-Revised Version (KSAS II-RV) in the schizophrenics. METHODS: KSAS II-RV was administered to 67 schizophrenic patients and 78 matched normal controls for examining the reliability and validity. RESULTS: Data analysis showed statistically significant reliabilities and validities of KSAS II-RV. The test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability, and internal consistency for total scores of KSAS II-RV were 0.85, 0.89. and 0.87, respectively. Evidence for discriminant validity of KSAS II-RV comes from the results that the mean scores of schizophrenic patients were significantly high than those of normal controls. Construct validity was assessed by calculating the 10 inter-subareas correlations of the KSAS II-RV, and all except the sexual adjustment area were statistically significant. Significant correlations between the global area scores of KSAS II-RV and those of Global Assessment of Functioning Scale lend support for the concurrent validity of this instrument indirectly. CONCLUSION: KSAS II-RV was found to be a valid and reliable instrument which can be used to evaluate the degree of social adjustment in the schizophrenic patients.
Humans ; Reproducibility of Results* ; Schizophrenia ; Social Adjustment* ; Statistics as Topic

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between self differentiation and school adjustment among adolescents. METHODS: The subjects were 356 adolescents. The following research questions were established. The adolescents' self differentiation level was measured based on Bowen's family system theory modified for Korean adolescents(Je, 1989) and their school adjustment level was measured with developed for Korean adolescents(Park, 1998). Collected data were analyzed by Mean+/-SD, t-test, ANOVA and Scheffe and Pearson correlation coefficient (SPSS 12.0). RESULTS: 1. The mean score for the level of self differentiation was 99.99+/-11.58 and school adjustment was 63.52+/-8.80. 2. The self differentiation level was different according to father's education and monthly income. The school adjustment level was different according to grade, sex, father's education and father's occupation. 3. Self differentiation had a significant positive correlation with school adjustment. CONCLUSION: The self differentiation level was confirmed to have an influence on school adjustment. We need to develop a program that can enhance adolescents' self differentiation.
Adolescent* ; Education ; Humans ; Occupations ; Self Concept ; Social Adjustment

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to assess social adjustment of childhood cancer survivors and to identify factors affecting social adjustment. METHODS: Data were collected from 79 childhood cancer survivors and his/her parents. The survey consisted of questions related to characteristics, physical functioning, depression, self-esteem and coping strategies. The Social Competence Inventory was used to measure social adjustment in the children. RESULTS: The level of social adjustment of childhood cancer survivors was 83.5 out of a possible 155. Physical functioning, depression, self-esteem, and aggressive or proactive coping strategies were associated with social adjustment. Only physical functioning independently affected social adjustment. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that there are several factors influencing social adjustment of childhood cancer survivors, and therefore there is a need for programs that deal with all aspects of children's physical as well as emotional health in order to enhance their social adjustment.
Depression ; Humans ; Mental Competency ; Parents ; Social Adjustment ; Survivors

PURPOSE: The purpose of this empirical research was to describe the contents what had happened to nurses experiencing taeoom. METHODS: This study explored the phenomenological ways to understand lived experiences in nurses' 'Taeoom' and investigated the 'Taeoom' through the deductive content analysis. For the this study, the data was collected through individual interviews with 11 nurses who worked over 12months in 1 hospital, lived in 5 areas, working 7 nursing unit of 10 hospitals. The interviews conducted by semi structured questions about participants' lived experiences in 'Taeoom'. RESULTS: Inductive contents analysis identified 5 categories and 15 subcategories. Main themes in this study included a failed membership, difficult of practical field adaptation, feared with nursing unit life, self-centered peer relationships and rite of passage. CONCLUSION: This study results have been illuminated with edged sword which has a dark side and a light side to experienced in 'Taeoom'. Newly employed nurses have suffering from 'Taeoom' as well as retained nurse. Therefore, policy and practice programs for a diminution of suffering and management for nurses 'Taeoom' should be developed and implemented.
Empirical Research ; Nursing ; Qualitative Research* ; Social Adjustment ; Workplace Violence

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the social functioning between schizophrenic patients treated with olanzapine and those with typical antipsychotics. METHODS: Fifty-seven schizophrenic patients with acute exacerbation entered consecutively to olanzapine treatment (N=33) or typical antipsychotic treatment (N=24). The assessment of social functioning and symptoms were made at 3 time points:at the time of admission (baseline), 6 months and 12 months after starting medications. Social functioning and symptoms were examined using the Korean version of Social Adjustment Scale II-Revised Version (KSAS II-RV) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). RESULTS: After 6-months and 12-months treatments, olanzapine treatment group showed significantly improved PANSS total scores (p=.02), positive scores (p=.04), negative scores (p=.01), and KSAS II-RV total score (p=.004), instrumental role (p=.002), social leisure (p=.03), personal well-being subarea scores (p=.02), compared with the scores of typical antipsychotic treatment group. CONCLUSION: Olanzapine was more effective than typical antipsychotics in reducing the severity of psychopathology and in improving some subareas of social functionings in patients with schizophrenia. The benefits of olanzapine on social functioning, although modest, may be important factor considering their accumulative effects for long-term treatment.
Antipsychotic Agents* ; Humans ; Leisure Activities ; Psychopathology ; Schizophrenia* ; Social Adjustment

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the social functioning between schizophrenic patients treated with olanzapine and those with typical antipsychotics. METHODS: Fifty-seven schizophrenic patients with acute exacerbation entered consecutively to olanzapine treatment (N=33) or typical antipsychotic treatment (N=24). The assessment of social functioning and symptoms were made at 3 time points:at the time of admission (baseline), 6 months and 12 months after starting medications. Social functioning and symptoms were examined using the Korean version of Social Adjustment Scale II-Revised Version (KSAS II-RV) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). RESULTS: After 6-months and 12-months treatments, olanzapine treatment group showed significantly improved PANSS total scores (p=.02), positive scores (p=.04), negative scores (p=.01), and KSAS II-RV total score (p=.004), instrumental role (p=.002), social leisure (p=.03), personal well-being subarea scores (p=.02), compared with the scores of typical antipsychotic treatment group. CONCLUSION: Olanzapine was more effective than typical antipsychotics in reducing the severity of psychopathology and in improving some subareas of social functionings in patients with schizophrenia. The benefits of olanzapine on social functioning, although modest, may be important factor considering their accumulative effects for long-term treatment.
Antipsychotic Agents* ; Humans ; Leisure Activities ; Psychopathology ; Schizophrenia* ; Social Adjustment