Abstract
Background Stigma and exclusion are common features of epilepsy in both developed and developing countries, and they cause a significant burden associated with the condition. At the same time, although it varies from country to country depending on cultural differences and economic conditions, having epilepsy causes significant social consequences. Objective This study was conducted to examine the effects of perceived stigma on the concealment of disease and satisfaction with life in patients with epilepsy living in the east of Turkey. Methods This cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out with 150 patients who met the study criteria and who agreed to participate in the study between March and July 2021 in a university hospital in Elazığ, east of Turkey. The data were collected using a personal information form, an Epilepsy Stigma Scale (ESS), a Concealment of Epilepsy Scale (CES), and a Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Results The total mean ESS score of the patients was 40.7 ± 9.04, the total CES mean score was 57.19 ± 12.57, and the total SWLS mean score was 6.68 ± 2.86. When the regression coefficients were examined, it was found that the ESS variable had a positive and significant effect on the CES, while the ESS and the CES had a negative and significant effect on satisfaction with life (p < 0.001). Conclusion It was found that the patients had high levels of perceived stigma and concealment of epilepsy and low satisfaction with life levels. It was also found that the patients concealed their disease for fear of stigma, which negatively affected their satisfaction with life.
Highlights
Epilepsy is the most common noncontagious chronic brain disease, and it affects individuals of all ages
Many globally conducted studies have indicated that the health and well-being of individuals stigmatized due to epilepsy are negatively affected. ese individuals frequently experience fear, desperation, anxiety, depression, low self-respect, low quality of life, and low satisfaction with life [14–16]
This study aims to fill in a gap in the literature by examining the effects of perceived stigmatization on concealing the disease and life satisfaction in patients with epilepsy living in the east of Turkey
Summary
Epilepsy is the most common noncontagious chronic brain disease, and it affects individuals of all ages. With the fear of negative evaluations and stigma, patients attempt to conceal their disease from nonfamily members [8, 9]. In a large number of studies conducted in Turkey, it has been found that individuals with epilepsy are frequently faced with social and cultural stigmatization. It has been found in these studies that individuals conceal their diseases due to social stigmatization [3, 7–9]. Is study was conducted to examine the effects of perceived stigma on the concealment of disease and satisfaction with life in patients with epilepsy living in the east of Turkey. It was found that the patients concealed their disease for fear of stigma, which negatively affected their satisfaction with life
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