A Comparison of Mental Health and Academic Performance between Students with Epilepsy and Normal Students

Abstract

The aim of this study is to compare the mental health and academic performance of epileptic and non-epileptic adolescent 12-18 years-old students of middle and high schools in Ahvaz in the academic year 2010-2011. The ex-post facto is the methodology used in this study. The sample includes 24 students with epilepsy homogenized with 24 normal students in middle and high schools in Ahvaz. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28)is administered individually in both groups. The GPA of students is considered to study the ir academic performance. The data are analyzed using MANOVA. The results show there are significant differences between the students with epilepsy and non-epileptic students in the overall mental health and all areas (except anxiety) and also in the academic performance (p<0/05). The refore students with epilepsy are poorer and in direr need in terms of general mental health, physical symptoms, social functioning, depressive symptoms and academic performance. The risk of epileptic seizures can reduce adolescent mental health and academic performance. It is recommended that students should receive mental health training. Also parents and teachers should receive training to improve the mental health and academic performance of their children.

Keywords

• epilepsy
• mental health
• academic performance
• teenagers