The construct validity of perceived disability scale in people with epilepsy

People with epilepsy are potentially at a high risk for disability or functional impairment because of various reasons such as seizures, underlying diseases or socioeconomic inequalities. The objective of this study was designed to examine the factor structure and construct validity of Perceived Disability Scale in people with epilepsy within Turkish context.

Research involving "Perceived Disability Scale", and demographic characteristics form was conducted with a group of 106 people with epilepsy. Data analyses included Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis, internal consistency reliability, ANOVAs and t-tests.

The component analysis for the instrument yielded three factors: (1) dissatisfaction, (2) pessimism, and (3) self-disdain. The factor structure explained 68.54 % of variance and showed stronger difference with age, education, disease duration and seizure frequency.

Preliminary construct validity and reliability of the Perceived Disability Scale was supported in our context. Perceived disability in people with epilepsy significantly differed based on age, education, disease duration and seizure frequency but not gender and other demographic features. Instrument should be further used within various samples as part of clarifying epilepsy-related disability.