Emotional Intelligence in children with epilepsy and its relationship with age at Mongolia-Japan Hospital

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy affects up to 1-2% of the pediatric population, with many comorbidities, drug burdens, and psychosocial issues. Emotional intelligence (EI) is a complex neuropsychological function that could be impaired in many clinical conditions. Aim: To evaluate the difference in emotional intelligence skills among children with epilepsy and children with acute upper respiratory diseases. Material and Methods: The survey conducted at Mongol Japan Hospital, which is the first university hospital in Mongolia, was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Fifty children with epilepsy and 50 children with acute respiratory infection (ARI) of the same age (p=0,7) and gender (p=0,8) participated in the study. Bar-On emotional quotient inventory, the youth version was used to assess the EI, and additional questionnaires about medical history were taken from children with epilepsy. Differences between groups were calculated using the Independent-Samples-t-test test, and the relation of age and emotional quotient scores were evaluated using linear regression analysis. Results: A total of 100 children aged 7-18 (mean age of 10.6±3.1) were included for both groups. According to the BarOn EQ test, the Intrapersonal scale (89.5:97.1, p=0.01), adaptability scale (95.4:100.7, p=0.04), and positive impression scale (89.5:97.1, p=0.01) were statistically lower in the group with epilepsy compared to the AIR group, and the general mood scale (p=0.6), interpersonal scale (89.5:97.1, p=0.1), and total emotional quotient (EQ) score (p=0.2) did not differ between the two groups. Almost all subscales of EQ had below the borderline of the Bar-On test for both groups. Unlike other subscales of EQ, interpersonal scores declined with age in children with epilepsy (-1.16, 95% CI; -1/19; -0.35, p=0.006). Conclusion: For children with epilepsy, self-awareness, the capacity of individuals to quickly adjust to new circumstances, and positive thoughts were lower than the control group. Moreover, the ability to communicate with others declines with age in the epilepsy group.