Transition to Adulthood: A Qualitative Case Study of the Lived Experience of a Young American Adolescent in Korea

Abstract

This qualitative case study was done to gain better understanding of the factors that contributed to the successful social participation and transition to adulthood of an American adolescent, named Addie, diagnosed with epilepsy. Addie’s life chart was used to describe her experience of living with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (epilepsy). Major focus of the study was an exploration of her rich and positive experience of living in Korea, away from home, for 10 weeks. Analysis of Addie’s lived experience in Korea revealed two factors that facilitated her independent living there, in contrast to her previous home life; 1) Social environment and 2) Physical environment and their subcategories. Following her return home from this experience, she was able to generalize the skills gained into her own environment in Los Angeles. The findings of this study indicate that the change in these two factors increased Addie’s self-esteem, confidence, motivation and opportunities for participation in meaningful social interaction, thereby increasing her chance of successfully transitioning into adulthood. has potential impact on health and well-being, participation, social functioning and ultimately, quality of life during adolescence and adulthood [6]. When seizures start between ages 2-5 and persist, they can evolve into the pattern of Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS), expressed as multiple seizures that include tonic seizures during sleep and continue lifelong [7]. Seizures can be controlled through adequate use of antiepileptic drugs in about 70% of individuals with epilepsy [8]. Regardless of the ability to control seizure activity, epilepsy has great impact on the lives of individuals affecting their participation, social functioning and successful transition to adulthood. The aim of this qualitative case study was to 1) explore the lived experience of an American adolescent with LGS, who as a young adult lived in the Republic of Korea (Korea) for a period of time, and 2) gain an understanding of the factors that facilitated her successful participation and transition to adulthood.