Cultural Peculiarities of Perception of Epilepsy: New Data for the Medical Community

An international research team has presented the results of a large-scale cross-cultural study of attitudes towards people with epilepsy (PWE) in Japan and Germany. The work, published in the authoritative journal Epilepsy & Behavior, sheds new light on cultural differences in the perception of this neurological disease.

Research Methodology

The researchers conducted a comparative analysis of data obtained from 985 Japanese and 1001 German respondents. The study used an adapted version of the SAPE (Scales of the Attitudes towards People with Epilepsy) questionnaire, which allows assessing various aspects of attitudes towards LSE. Particular attention was paid to such parameters as social distance, emotional reactions and level of knowledge about the disease.

Key findings

Social distancing and stigma

The results showed a significant difference in the level of social distance: 47.6% of Japanese participants demonstrated a pronounced reluctance to interact with LSE, while in Germany this figure was only 16.5%. Notably, in both countries, personal experience of communicating with people with epilepsy significantly reduced the level of stigmatization.

Emotional reactions

The study found significant cross-cultural differences in emotional perception:

Anger and Irritation: 17.1% in Japan vs. 9% in Germany

Worry and anxiety: 49.4% vs. 43.2%

Feeling of pity: 49.4% vs. 64.2%

These differences may be related to cultural differences in the expression of emotions in the two countries.

Level of awareness

Analysis of knowledge about the disease showed:

Only 28.6% Japanese respondents answered questions about epilepsy treatment correctly

In Germany, this figure was 46.7%

An interesting paradox: in the German sample, higher symptom knowledge was correlated with higher levels of anxiety

The Importance of Personal Experience

The study confirmed the importance of personal contacts:

Only 23.6% Japanese had experience communicating with LSE

In Germany, there were 63.7% such respondents

In both countries, having such experience had a positive impact on attitudes towards patients with epilepsy

Practical recommendations for doctors

For Japan:

Developing educational programs that debunk myths about epilepsy

Raising awareness of modern treatment methods

Creating conditions for greater interaction between LSE and society

For Germany:

Working on transforming pity into empathy

Development of psychological support programs for patients' relatives

Improving the quality of information about the disease

Conclusion

This study highlights the importance of taking cultural differences into account when developing support programs for people with epilepsy. Understanding these differences allows for more effective strategies to combat stigma and improve quality of life for patients.

Source in our library:

Kerkhoff D. et al. A cross-cultural comparative study of attitudes towards people with epilepsy in Japan and Germany. Epilepsy & Behavior. 2025; 168:110424.