The purpose of this study was to explore the psychosocial adjustment process in adolescents with epilepsy in the context of Korean society and culture.

A grounded theory method was used for data collection and analysis. Participants for this study were 9 adolescents who regularly visited an epilepsy clinic in a university hospital. The data was collected through in-depth interviews during the period from November, 2002 to June, 2003. Data collection and analysis were performed simultaneously.

Twenty-three categories emerged including ‘ suffering’, ‘ psychological stigma’, and ‘ social isolation from one's peers’. Categories were divided into paradigms which consisted of conditions, actions/ interactions, and consequences. ‘ Reconstructing life’ was the core category in this study. The theoretical scheme was described by organizing categories around the core category.

This study provides a framework for the development of individualized nursing interventions to care for adolescents with epilepsy.