Black-White Differences in the Psychosocial Outcomes of Epilepsy

This study tested the hypothesis that the stigma of being disabled & that of minority ethnic status yield more negative psychosocial outcomes for black than white persons with epilepsy. Black (n=55) & white (n=53) urban participants from a larger sample were matched for socioeconomic status & seizure frequency. Differences in these & key demographic variables were tested & found to be non-significant. Differences in psychosocial outcome variables were analyzed & indicated that white subjects were more likely to have considered suicide. Black subjects had significantly lower scores on the Beck Hopelessness Scale & significantly more optimistic attributional styles. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed. (44 refs.)