Subjective well-being in men following neurosurgery for adult onset epileptic seizures

Abstract

Subjective Well-Being (SWB) is an individual’s personal evaluation of his or her life and also life satisfaction. Determinants and qualities of SWB in men following neurosurgery for Adult Onset Epileptic Seizures (AOES) have not been investigated, despite the fact that SWB is a major indicator of their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The lived experience as indexed by one’s SWB is a robust indicator of the wellbeing benefits from treatment for AOES. This study aimed to determine how the SWB of men with AOES surgery is constructed around family relationships and health professional relationships, both medically and psychologically post-surgery. Other aims were to evaluate the perceived influence of social networks on SWB and determine the qualities of coping skills of men with AOES following elective surgery. Findings suggest that men with AOES and elective neurosurgery experience both resources for and obstacles to SWB within relationships in the family, health and social network environments. Within family settings, they experience respect as a resource for SWB whereas marginalization lowered their sense of SWB. Positive resources for SWB within health consultation included their own knowledge of AOES from lived experience and the alliances they achieved with provider health professionals. Social network resources for SWB included engagement with and participation of disability support organisations, which recognized their lived knowledge of AOES and enabled access to resources for participation in the community. Implications of the findings suggest rehabilitative psycho-education for the person with AOES, family members and the social support network important for SWB with AOES. A conceptual model in which external and internal perception factors are considered appears to explain the direct effects of health supports on SWB in men with AOES following neurosurgery.