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Functional Seizures: Obtaining expert opinions for developing a psychoeducational intervention program for nursing students in South Africa
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2026.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613738658430976 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Blanckenberg, Letanye |
| author2 | Pretorius, Chrisma |
| author_browse | Blanckenberg, Letanye Pretorius, Chrisma |
| author_facet | Pretorius, Chrisma Blanckenberg, Letanye |
| author_sort | Blanckenberg, Letanye |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135629 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:40:55.520Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135629 Functional Seizures: Obtaining expert opinions for developing a psychoeducational intervention program for nursing students in South Africa Blanckenberg, Letanye Pretorius, Chrisma Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Psychology. Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. Blanckenberg, L. 2026. Functional Seizures: Obtaining expert opinions for developing a psychoeducational intervention program for nursing students in South Africa. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/064e91cb-81ce-4035-93f3-05523f544868 Functional seizures (FS) refer to sudden, involuntary episodes that mimic epileptic seizures (ES), yet present without any abnormal electrical activity in the brain. For an accurate clinical confirmation of a FS diagnosis, VEEG-monitoring should display no evidence of electrical dysfunction or abnormal electrical brain activity, or ictal epileptiform brain activity. FS remain an underdiagnosed and inadequately treated disorder, commonly misdiagnosed as ES. FS are widely perceived as manifestations of psychological distress, often associated with predisposing factors such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), neglect or abuse during the forming years, and co-occurring mental health conditions. This may result in a substantial decline in health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Evidence-based psychotherapeutic treatment approaches for FS includes cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapy, and psychoeducation. Moreover, health care providers (HCPs), particularly nurses, have an important role in helping to identify FS in emergency units or epilepsy monitoring units. With appropriate training, nurses can be equipped to provide psychoeducation to FS patients. However, insufficient knowledge and formal education, combined with misconceptions, negative attitudes and stigma toward FS patients among HCPs – particularly nurses - remain a major challenge worldwide and locally. The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) recognises the essential role of nurses within the multidisciplinary team caring for FS and ES patients and emphasizes the importance of educating and equipping nurses and nursing students working in this specialty. This study aimed to obtain the opinions of expert HCPs regarding what should be included in a psychoeducational intervention program about FS delivered to nursing students in South Africa. Specific focus was given to explore the current knowledge and perceptions of nurses related to FS, and what they should know about the diagnosis, treatment, and management of FS considering the biological, psychological, and socio-environmental factors related to the development of FS. A qualitative research approach was followed, by interviewing 13 HCPs with expertise in diagnosing, treating, managing, or caring for FS patients. The participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling and interviewed using a semi-structured one-on-one interview schedule to obtain rich opinions from the HCPs. The responses were analysed through the process of reflexive thematic data analysis. The biopsychosocial (BPS) model (Engel, 1977) was employed to conceptualise the themes and subthemes that were identified during data analysis. The six main themes that were identified, were: 1) knowledge and understanding of FS among nurses and other HCPs; (2) what nurses should know about the diagnosis of FS; (3) what nurses should know about the treatment of FS; (4) the reality of life-long, multidisciplinary management of FS; (5) stigma related to FS; and (6) what nurses should do when a patient experiences a FS. The findings from this study indicated that nurses should be trained in a holistic manner about FS on a biological, psychological, and social level. Nurses should know that the biological factors of FS identified through the BPS model indicate high comorbidity between FS and ES, and that 60-80% of FS patients are younger females. Neurologists diagnose FS by evaluating clinical signs to differentiate between FS from ES. Furthermore, nurses should know that no medication for the treatment of FS exist. Nurses should know that psychological factors and maladaptive coping skills in response to distress could be predisposing factors in the development of FS. Additionally, nurses should understand that a holistic treatment approach involves a multidisciplinary team – including neurologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and nurses - with psychotherapy considered the preferred treatment. Furthermore, nurses should be attentive to socio-environmental stressors and refer patients to a social worker when such stressors are identified. Lastly, nurses should acknowledge and respect the cultural and spiritual beliefs regarding FS. This study is the first to explore the opinions of expert HCP involved in the treatment of FS patients in what to include in a psychoeducational intervention for nursing students in South Africa to enhance their basic knowledge about FS. Further research is advised to address the knowledge of nurses and HCP working in emergency units, and to investigate task-sharing whereby nurses could be trained to deliver psychoeducation. Masters 2026-04-02T11:33:12Z 2026-04-02T11:33:12Z 2026-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135629 en Stellenbosch University 169 pages application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Blanckenberg, Letanye Functional Seizures: Obtaining expert opinions for developing a psychoeducational intervention program for nursing students in South Africa |
| title | Functional Seizures: Obtaining expert opinions for developing a psychoeducational intervention program for nursing students in South Africa |
| title_full | Functional Seizures: Obtaining expert opinions for developing a psychoeducational intervention program for nursing students in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Functional Seizures: Obtaining expert opinions for developing a psychoeducational intervention program for nursing students in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Functional Seizures: Obtaining expert opinions for developing a psychoeducational intervention program for nursing students in South Africa |
| title_short | Functional Seizures: Obtaining expert opinions for developing a psychoeducational intervention program for nursing students in South Africa |
| title_sort | functional seizures obtaining expert opinions for developing a psychoeducational intervention program for nursing students in south africa |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135629 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT blanckenbergletanye functionalseizuresobtainingexpertopinionsfordevelopingapsychoeducationalinterventionprogramfornursingstudentsinsouthafrica |