Developmental regulation in adolescents with epilepsy who attend regular school: A comparative study part II

Using strategies for achieving age-specific goals is essential for developmental regulation. In a previous study, we demonstrated that adolescents with epilepsy have difficulty achieving some of their goals, which necessitates further research into the goal attainment process.

We surveyed 363 German adolescents with and without epilepsy using a cross-sectional design.

Adolescents with epilepsy reported higher levels of active goal striving compared to adolescents without chronic diseases. Further analyses of constructs related to strategies in goal attainment showed that adolescents with epilepsy reported higher levels of social support from parents and teachers as well as higher level of locus of control compared to adolescents without chronic diseases. Within the epilepsy group, seizure-free and medication-free status did not predict differences in active goal striving; however, medication-free adolescents reported lower rates of goal postponement compared to those taking medication. Finally, the between-group difference in goal attainment from the former study could not be explained by differences in strategies of goal attainment, social support, locus of control, and their interaction effects.

The lower achievement is likely to be due to medical and social barriers rather than deficits in motivation or control strategies. Specific treatment recommendations are provided.