Scale Analysis

Stigma Scale of Epilepsy (SSE):
This is a 5-question scale containing 24 items. It was modified and adapted to assess the attitudes and potential misconceptions of individuals without epilepsy toward epilepsy. It was developed by Fernandes and colleagues in 2007.

Purpose

The SSE was designed to measure the views of people without epilepsy toward those who have it and to investigate the broader societal stigma surrounding epilepsy through the perceptions of individuals with no personal experience of the condition. The SSE can provide quantitative data on the extent of perceived epilepsy stigma in a given society.

Question Scoring

The SSE includes questions related to the perception of epilepsy in the community, and the scores reflect the level of stigma perceived by each individual. Respondents are asked to choose the most appropriate response category for each item, indicating a number corresponding to the level of agreement (1 = Not at all, 2 = A little, 3 = A lot, 4 = Completely).
SSE scores range from 0 (no stigma) to 100 (maximum stigma) and are independent of the number of questions answered.
The questionnaire also includes questions on demographic data (age, profession, gender, religion, education level, socioeconomic status), and one question specifically for individuals with epilepsy, regarding their condition (e.g., age of onset, seizure type, medication use).

Statistical Analysis

Responses were analyzed using the 1-to-4 scale (from minimal to full agreement), which was then used to calculate the overall SSE score.
In the development of the scale, the mean stigma scores and standard deviations (SD) were as follows:
Patients: Mean = 46, SD = 18.22
General community: SD = 13.25

Validity and Reliability

The SSE demonstrated satisfactory content validity and high internal consistency. It enables quantification of stigma perception regarding epilepsy—both from the perspective of patients and the general public.
It can be used in intervention studies, such as media campaigns aimed at reducing epilepsy-related stigma. The SSE is ready for use and offers new insights into the study of epilepsy stigma, as it allows for objective quantification, evaluation of intervention effectiveness, and cross-cultural assessments of stigma.

References

Fernandes PT, Salgado PC, Noronha ALA, et al. (2007). Epilepsy stigma perception in an urban area of a limited resource country. Epilepsy & Behavior, 11:25–32.