Stigma Perception and Health Fatalism in Parents of Children With Epilepsy: a Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the factors that affect stigma perceptions and health fatalism of parents of children with epilepsy in eastern Turkey, the relationship between these and the impact of these on their social lives. Method: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2022 and January 2023 with the parents of children under the age of 18 who had been diagnosed with epilepsy for at least 1 year and who were followed up in the only hospital with a paediatric neurology outpatient clinic in Van province of Turkey. No sample selection was made in the study. Healthy parents (n =123) who presented to the outpatient clinic within the specified time period and who agreed to participate in the study after being explained the purpose of the study participated in the study. Results: In this study, parental age was found to have a statistically weak positive correlation with Health Fatalism Scale (HFS) (r = 0.251; p = 0.005). A weak positive correlation was also found between the years patients had epilepsy and Parent Stigma Scale (PSS) (r = 0.275; p = 0.002). In addition, a statistically positive and weak relationship was found between Parent Stigma Scale scores and Health Fatalism Scale scores (r = 0.212; p = 0.018). This study found significant relationships between stigma perception and health fatalism in parents of epileptic children. Stigma perception increased with disease duration and lower parental education levels. Conclusion: While providing an important basis for understanding the difficulties experienced by parents and developing support mechanisms, the present study can contribute to more informed support for parents of patients with epilepsy in the community. Nurses can contribute to ending stigma and discrimination by identifying patients' and parents' perceptions of epilepsy, focusing on addressing gaps in knowledge and raising awareness in the community.