Perceived stigma and psychological well-being among people with epilepsy: A buffer effect of social support?

This survey examined the relationship between perceived stigma and psychological well-being among people with epilepsy (N = 103) and examined the moderating role of perceived social support. Visitors of the website www.epilepsie.net filled out a questionnaire which included background variables, the Consumer Experiences of Stigma Questionnaire (CESQ); Rosenberg self-esteem scale, Becks Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Social Support List 12-Interactions (SSL12-1). Perceived stigma was negatively related to self-esteem and positively related to depressive symptoms. The relationship between stigmatization and depressive symptoms was not mediated by self-esteem. Contrary to our expectations, social support did not moderate the relationships between perceived stigma and self esteem or between perceived stigma and depressive symptoms. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.