Psychosocial factors and predictors of stigma in individuals diagnosed with epilepsy: a cross-sectional study

Epilepsy is a common and potentially severe neurological disorder, the consequences of which include stigmatization and psychiatric comorbidities. This study aims (a) to evaluate stigma, seizure severity, quality of life, anxiety and depression in a sample of individuals diagnosed with epilepsy (IDWE), (b) to examine their associations with sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex, income, and education), and (b) to identify potential predictors of stigma. Eighty IDWE were assessed using the Epilepsy Stigma Scale (ESS), the Seizure Severity Questionnaire (SSQ), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31). Correlation and regression analyses were conducted to explore the relationships among these variables. Stigma (ESS) was positively correlated with seizure severity (SSQ), depression (BDI), and anxiety (BAI), while it was negatively correlated with quality of life (QOLIE-31). No significant associations were observed between stigma and sex, marital status, education level, or age of onset. In the multiple regression analysis, quality of life emerged as the strongest predictor of stigma, with higher QOLIE-31 scores being associated with lower ESS scores (β = -0.641, p < 0.001). Our findings highlight the significant psychosocial burden of epilepsy, demonstrating that stigma is strongly linked to seizure severity, depression, and anxiety, while quality of life plays a crucial role in mitigating stigma. Addressing these factors is essential for improving the overall well-being of IDWE.