SAITOU Satoshi
   Department   School of Medicine(Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital), School of Medicine
   Position   Assistant Professor
Article types Original article
Language English
Peer review Peer reviewed
Title Understanding social perceptions of epilepsy: The Japanese version of the attitudes and beliefs about living with epilepsy (ABLE) scale development and validation study.
Journal Formal name：Epilepsy & behavior : E&B
Abbreviation：Epilepsy Behav
ISSN code：15255069/15255050
Domestic / ForeginForegin
Volume, Issue, Page 171,pp.110605
Author and coauthor Takafumi Shiganami, Satoshi Saito, Chihiro Nakata, Sayaka Kobayashi, Haruo Yoshimasu, Mohd Farooq Shaikh, Go Taniguchi, Izumi Kuramochi
Authorship 2nd author
Publication date 2025/07
Summary This study aimed to develop and validate the Japanese version of the Attitudes and Beliefs about Living with Epilepsy scale (ABLE-J), a multidimensional instrument to assess public stigma toward epilepsy in Japan. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 400 Japanese adults. The ABLE scale was translated and culturally adapted into Japanese. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested a four-factor model: Negative Stereotypes, Risk and Safety Concerns, Work and Role Expectations, and Personal Fear and Social Avoidance. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach's alpha. Validity was examined via correlations with the Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy Scale (PATE-J), epilepsy knowledge, and cultural stigma. CFA showed marginal fit for the original 29-item model (Comparative Fit Index: CFI = 0.867, Tucker-Lewis Index: TLI = 0.853, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation: RMSEA = 0.091), while the revised 27-item model showed improved fit (CFI = 0.893, TLI = 0.880, RMSEA = 0.087). All subscales showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.81-0.92 for the 29-item version; up to 0.94 for the 27-item version). The ABLE-J score correlated positively with the PATE-J (r = 0.617) and cultural stigma (r = 0.489), and negatively with epilepsy knowledge (r = -0.326). No significant differences in stigma were found across demographic groups. The ABLE-J is a reliable, valid tool for measuring public stigma toward epilepsy in Japan. It is suitable for public health research, stigma-reduction interventions, and international comparison.
DOI 10.1016/j.yebeh.2025.110605
PMID 40684518