Attitudes toward epilepsy assessed by the SAPE questionnaire in Germany - Comparison of its psychometric properties and results in a web-based vs. face-to-face survey.

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were (1) to investigate psychometric properties of a new questionnaire (SAPE, Scales of the Attitudes toward People with Epilepsy) that assesses attitudes toward people with epilepsy (PWE) (2) to compare the effects of mode of survey administration (web-based vs. face-to-face) on attitudes, and (3) to identify predictors of attitudes.

METHODS

A face-to-face and a web-based survey were performed in Germany. Weighting factors were used to achieve representative samples of the German population. Reliability and validity of the 6 scales of the SAPE (social distance, stereotypes, personal concerns, and emotional reactions differentiated by fear, anger, and pity) were evaluated and compared for both surveys. Epilepsy knowledge was also assessed. General linear models were performed to investigate predictors of attitudes toward PWE including the type of survey.

RESULTS

In total, 1001 participants of the web-based survey and 1026 participants of face-to-face survey were included. Psychometric analyses indicated satisfactory reliability and validity of the scales and differed only slightly between modes of survey. In both surveys, fears and concerns were more pronounced than stereotypes and social distance. However, mean values of two scales were slightly or moderately higher in the face-to-face survey indicating more negative attitudes toward PWE (p < 0.001). Fewer participants of the face-to-face survey reported personal experience with PWE, claiming to know what to do in case of a seizure and claiming to know that seizures can be treated successfully (p < 0.001). These variables proved to be important predictors of positive attitudes toward PWE, besides demographic factors (e.g. age < 65, female gender). When controlling for them, the differences remained significant only for the scales Social Distance (moderately) and Fear (slightly).

SIGNIFICANCE

In total, psychometric analyses show that web-based surveys using the SAPE may be an alternative to face-to-face surveys to assess attitudes toward PWE. This applies also to the scales Social Distance and Emotional Reactions that allow comparisons with other diseases, e.g. psychiatric disorders. Most scales differ only slightly between survey modes, except social distance. This indicates that single components of attitudes toward PWE may be dependent on the mode of survey or different characteristics of respondents.