Neuropsychological functioning and its relationship to social competence in children with first-recognized seizures

Natalie Christina Cunningham, Purdue University

Abstract

Social competence refers to how well individuals function in the interpersonal realm. Previous literature shows that children with epilepsy have poor social competence outcomes. Understanding social competence in children with epilepsy is important because this population has been found to have poor social outcomes in adulthood. General cognitive functioning has been shown to be associated with social competence in children with epilepsy; however, relationships between specific neuropsychological functioning domains and social competence have not been explored in this population. This study sought to examine relationships between the specific neuropsychological domains of executive functioning and language and social competence in 275 children (ages 6–14 years) with new-onset seizures. The study was longitudinal with two data collection time points, baseline and 18 months. Exclusion criteria were an IQ below 70, another chronic physical disorder or seizures precipitated by an acute transient event. Measures that assessed language were the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals 3rd Edition and the Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing. The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test was used as a measure of executive functioning. Multiple regression models were tested in order to determine if baseline executive functioning and language scores would predict any of the three social outcomes at 18 months. Results indicated that together these neuropsychological variables did not contribute significant variance to social competence, social problems, or social functioning from the child’s perspective at 18 months. Baseline scores for these variables were consistently the best predictors of social outcomes 18 months later. Children who had better social competence scores at the onset of the seizure disorder had better outcomes at 18 months. The results of this study did not indicate a role for executive functioning or language in predicting social competence outcomes for children with first-recognized seizures. Instead, children who already function well socially before the onset of the disorder appear to continue to maintain that level over time. Medications also were predictive of future social difficulties for these children. This study has implications for helping clinicians identify which children with new-onset seizures may be at the greatest risk for future social problems.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Bigatti, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Developmental psychology|Clinical psychology

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