Final Year Project

Project Title

Unmasking The Invisible: A Quantified Social Network Analysis Study of The Stigmatization of Epilepsy

Description

This research examines the propagation of epilepsy-related stigma within Pakistani social networks using a mixed-methods approach. Data was gathered from People with Epilepsy, their families, healthcare professionals, and the public through surveys and interviews. Quantitative analysis reveals that OLS regression accounts for 73.9% of the variance in stigma, with significant predictors including high stigma (? = 0.97), cause beliefs (? = 0.1483), and acceptance beliefs (? = 0.1911). Instrumental variable regression further indicates that each unit increase in misconceptions raises stigma by 0.72 points (p = 0.001), while additional exposure contributes an increase of 0.15 points (p = 0.003). Social network analysis identifies Family & Friends and Employment Networks as pivotal hubs (degree = 7) in disseminating stigma, compared to a moderate connectivity observed among People with Epilepsy (degree = 4). These findings inform targeted public health strategies and policy interventions to reduce stigma and enhance support systems.