Research Paper: The Relationship Between Perceived Social Support and Self-Esteem in Patients With Epilepsy

Background: Epilepsy is a neurologic functional disorder occurs due to the abnormal electricaldischarge in neurons of the brain.Objectives: The current study aimed at evaluating the relationship between perceived socialsupport and self-esteem in patients with epilepsy referring to Kashani Hospital in Isfahan, Iran,from 2017 to 2018.Materials & Methods: The present cross sectional, correlational study was conducted on 211patients with epilepsy, referring to Kashani Hospital in Isfahan from 2017 to 2018, selected througha consecutive sampling method according to the inclusion criteria. The data collection instrumentsused in the current study were self-esteem and social support questionnaires. The collected datawere analyzed using descriptive and statistical inference with SPSS V. 23. In addition, multipleregression analysis and Pearson correlation coefficient were employed.Results: The results of multiple regression analysis showed that social support dimensionsincluding spouse (F=44.88), family members (F=47.64), friends (F=31.57), physician (35.28), andnurse (F=44.25) have a significant effect on self-esteem (P<0.05).Conclusion: Effective support from spouse, family members, friends, physician, and nurse canincrease the self-esteem of patients with epilepsy.