Journal article
Theory of mind and social competence in children and adolescents with temporal lobe epilepsy
Neuropsychology, Vol.33(7), pp.986-995
10/2019
PMID: 31204815
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Objective: The primary aim of this study was to examine theory of mind (ToM) and its relationship to social competence in children and adolescents with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). The secondary aim was to explore the relationship between ToM, social competence, epilepsy variables, and executive functioning (EF). Method: Twenty-two children and adolescents (8–16 years old) with TLE and 22 typically developing controls completed two advanced behavioural tests of ToM (faux-pas, strange stories), measures of EF and verbal IQ. Parents completed questionnaires assessing ToM and social competence of their child. Epilepsy variables were obtained from treating neurologists and interviews with parents. Results: Children and adolescents with TLE had significant impairments in cognitive and affective ToM, reduced social competence, and lower verbal IQ than controls. Although verbal IQ was reduced in the TLE group, it was not related to ToM or social functioning. ToM impairment (a single score encompassing cognitive and affective ToM) was significantly correlated with social competence problems in our TLE group. Longer duration of epilepsy was related to reduced ToM and social competence, while earlier onset of seizures was related to social competence problems only. Finally, EF was neither impaired nor related to ToM or social problems in children and adolescents with TLE. Conclusion: This study revealed marked ToM impairments and associated social difficulties in children and adolescents with TLE. The results support studies demonstrating similar impairments in children with other epilepsy subtypes and highlight the importance of detecting and treating ToM and social difficulties in this group.
Details
- Title
- Theory of mind and social competence in children and adolescents with temporal lobe epilepsy
- Creators
- Elizabeth Stewart - University of SydneyCathy Catroppa - Murdoch Children's Research InstituteLinda Gonzalez - Murdoch Children's Research InstituteDeepak Gill - The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, SydneyRichard Webster - The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, SydneyJohn Lawson - Sydney Children's HospitalMark Sabaz - Sydney Children's HospitalAnna Mandalis - Sydney Children's HospitalBelinda Barton - The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, SydneySamantha McLean - The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, SydneySuncica Lah - University of Sydney
- Publication Details
- Neuropsychology, Vol.33(7), pp.986-995
- Publisher
- American Psychological Association
- Identifiers
- 991013093612002368
- Copyright
- (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article