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Updated: Jun 12, 2025
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A Multimodal Imaging- and Stimulation-based Method of Evaluating Connectivity-related Brain Excitability in Patients with Epilepsy
Published on: November 13, 2016
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A multicultural comparative study of self-stigma in epilepsy: Differences across four cultures
Takayuki Iwayama1, Kimihito Mizuno2, Esra Yildiz3
1Department of Psychology, Showa Women's University, Tokyo, Japan.
Epilepsia Open
|September 26, 2024
Summary
Self-stigma in epilepsy varies across cultures, with higher levels in Turkish and Japanese individuals. Mental health factors, particularly depression, significantly influence self-stigma more than cultural differences.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Cross-cultural Psychology
Background:
- Epilepsy is a neurological disorder with varying prevalence and treatment access globally.
- Stigma surrounding epilepsy significantly impacts the quality of life for people with epilepsy (PWE).
- Understanding self-stigma and its relationship with mental health is crucial for tailored care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between self-stigma and depressive symptoms in PWE across different cultural contexts.
- To identify cultural variations in the manifestation of self-stigma among PWE.
- To inform the development of culturally sensitive interventions for epilepsy care.
Main Methods:
- Recruited PWE from specialized epilepsy centers in Japan, Malaysia (Chinese, Malay), and Turkey.
- Administered validated scales for self-stigma (ESSS), depressive symptoms (NDDI-E), and anxiety (GAD-7) in local languages.
- Utilized ANOVA and ANCOVA to analyze cultural variations and the influence of psychological factors on self-stigma.
Main Results:
- Turkish and Japanese cohorts reported significantly higher levels of self-stigma compared to Malaysian cohorts.
- Self-stigma showed moderate positive correlations with depressive symptoms and anxiety across all cultural groups.
- Differences in self-stigma between cultures were reduced when controlling for depressive symptoms, indicating a strong influence of mental health.
Conclusions:
- Self-stigmatization in epilepsy differs across cultures but is strongly linked to psychological factors like depression and anxiety.
- Mental health status appears to be a more significant determinant of self-stigma than cultural background.
- Future research should explore these nuances to develop effective, supportive interventions for PWE globally.
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