FACTORS OF POLITICAL, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL PARTICIPATION OF ADULT PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY

Abstract

The article analyses political, cultural and social participation of adults with epilepsy. Research goal: to assess peculiarities of participation and its factors among adults with epilepsy. This article is based on the findings of the survey of 220 adults with epilepsy aged 18- 85 years old. Secondary data analysis of departmental (state) statistics is also applied in the article, which enables to compare the participation trends of the people with epilepsy to Lithuanian population participation in political, social and cultural activities. The research results reveal that every fourth respondent tends to be politically inactive and only every tenth respondent tends to be very politically active. More than 80 percent of adults with epilepsy do not participate in social activities (the extent to which people with epilepsy participate in formal and informal organizations is an indicator of social participation in our study). The survey demonstrates low participation rates in cultural activities, especially in those requiring financial expenditures, e.g. ballet, concert, cinema or theatre. The research results disclose low participation rates in social and cultural activities of adults with epilepsy though political participation rate is higher. Personal choice or lack of interest is a major cause of their inactivity in political, social and cultural activities. Almost every second of the political inactive adult with epilepsy is apolitical. Most of people with epilepsy who are not involved in activities of nonprofit organizations do not want to belong to any organization. The data analysis makes it possible to conclude that the disease factors (characteristics of epilepsy) do not affect political, social or cultural participation strongly. Only comorbid medical conditions impact significantly on lower social participation of people with epilepsy. The results of the research show that the impact of personal factors such as age and education on the political, social and cultural participation among people with epilepsy is strong. Stigma of epilepsy and emotional state of people with epilepsy also appear to be significant factors restricting successful participation in political, social and cultural activities too.