Subjective well-being of people with epilepsy in Norway
John Eriksen, NOVA - Norwegian Social Research
Co-author(s): Siri Naess
Abstract
The subjective well-being of people with epilepsy has been studied extensively, but only sparingly in Norway. Longitudinal studies, presenting reports on well-being given before and after the onset of epilepsy, are wanted. In 2005, questionnaire data were collected from 946 members of the Norwegian association of people with epilepsy. Two measures on well-being were applied: A short version of Hopkins Symptom Check List-8 items and a version of Self-Anchoring Striving Scale (termed Cantril's ladder). The respondents were presented with a numbered step-wise line and the following instructions: 'On a scale from 0 to 10, 0 represents the worst possible life and 10 the best possible for you. Mark the number you feel describes your situation today.' A second question followed: 'If you consider your life five years ago, where on the scale would you put yourself?' And a third question: 'How do you think your life will be five years from now?' Responses to the above questions will be related to reports on seizure frequency, medication, surgery, co-morbidity, time since diagnosis, stigma-symptoms. Special interest will be given to people whose diagnosis was given less than five years ago, and to changes in their answers to the questions on best/worst life 5 years ago and today.