Who is more important in stigmatization, family or friends?

Although the knowledge about epilepsy is rapidly increasing, the rate of stigmatization still remains high among patients. Since stigmatization is a condition that reduces the quality of life of patients and adversely affects the treatment response, it is very important to reveal the contributing factors. In this study, it was aimed to investigate which of the current social support resources of the patients are related to stigmatization, whether the support received from family or friends and a special person.

A total of 60 patients with epilepsy (30 males and 30 females) were included in the study. Sociodemographic data form, stigma scale of epilepsy, and multidimensional scale of perceived social support were administered to all participants.

Duration of education from sociodemographic variables and duration of epilepsy from clinical variables were associated with stigma scores (for each other, p < 0.01). While a negative correlation was determined between friend support, special person support scores, and total social support score and stigma scores (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively), no significant relationship was detected between family support score and stigma score.

The findings of the study show that the support of a friend and a special person may be more important than the family support in patients with epilepsy. When evaluating these patients, questioning the type and adequacy of social support that they receive and taking necessary interventions (such as forming peer support groups) may be helpful in reducing the perceived stigmatization.