title: Factors associated with increased felt stigma among individuals with epilepsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study is to determine whether certain demographic, clinical, and psychosocial traits are associated with higher levels of felt stigma among persons with epilepsy (PWE) patients followed at a level 4 epilepsy center.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a direct survey of 182 consenting patients that included the Epilepsy Stigma Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On univariate analysis, higher levels of perceived stigma were associated with age, marital status, race, driving, work status, seizure etiology, Quality of Life in Epilepsy-10 (QOLIE-10) scores, and health literacy. Among coping reactions, the use of denial, behavioral disengagement and venting were also associated with higher degrees of felt stigma. Using multiple linear regression, being single, poorer QOLIE-10 scores, difficulties understanding written information, and the use of behavioral disengagement were independently associated with poorer scores on the Epilepsy Stigma Scale.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study paints a compelling profile of a PWE who has greater perceived stigma. Programs that increase the level of social support, improve health literacy, and enhance quality of life may also help decrease the amount of felt stigma among PWE.
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Florida Health Sciences Center/Jacksonville, United States. Electronic address: ramon.bautista@jax.ufl.edu.
authors.forename: Ramon Edmundo D
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Bautista
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Florida Health Sciences Center/Jacksonville, United States.
authors.forename: Denys
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shapovalov
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Florida Health Sciences Center/Jacksonville, United States.
authors.forename: Ali Reza
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Shoraka
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D057545:Social Stigma
keywords: Behavioral disengagement; Epilepsy; Quality of life, Religion; Seizures; Stigma