The mediating role of perceived social support and resilience between mental problems and stigmatization in...

The present study was conducted to examine the mediating roles of perceived social support and resilience in the relationship between mental health and stigmatization in adolescents with epilepsy.

This cross-sectional and descriptive study planned in accordance with STROBE guidelines was conducted in two hospitals in Şanlıurfa between 01.05.2024 and 31.01.2025. The study included 249 adolescents with epilepsy who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected by using the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Epilepsy Stigma Scale (ESS), Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS) and Child and Adolescent Psychological Resilience Scale (CEASRS). Analyses were conducted by using regression analysis and mediation models. Ethics committee approval was obtained and informed consent was obtained from the participants.

It was found that 44 % of the adolescents with epilepsy who participated in the study experienced high levels of stigmatization. While a strong positive correlation was found between mental health and stigmatization (r = 0.990, p < 0.001), significant negative correlations were found between perceived social support (r = -0.958, p < 0.001) and resilience (r = -0.945, p < 0.001) and stigmatization. According to the mediation analysis results, perceived social support (β = 0.074, CI [0.040-0.122]) and resilience (β = 0.438, CI [0.292-0.569]) significantly reduced the effect of mental health on stigmatization in adolescents with epilepsy.

The results of the study show that social support systems should be strengthened and resilience should be increased to reduce the effects of mental health and stigmatization in adolescents with epilepsy. In this respect, it is recommended to strengthen social support mechanisms and include interventions that increase resilience in clinical approaches to individuals with epilepsy.