Internal stigma features at relatives of psychotic patients

Abstract

The aim of the work was to study the severity and structure of self-stigma in relatives ofpsychotic patients. The study recruited 34 people who take care for patients with psychotic disorders (F2 and F3 according to ICD-10). Among them: 26-parents of patients (26-mothers), 4-spouses, 3- siblings and 1 child. The socio-demographic data of patients’ relatives were collected, for self-stigma evaluation was used SSI-F (Self-Stigma Family Inventory), which allows assessing the severity and structure of the family self-stigma. As a result, of the study, it was found that the intensity (by sub-scales and general point) of the caregivers did not threshold the mean score 2,5. The majority of respondents (76,5%) were patients’ parents and in 67,7% — were mothers. The differences in structure and overall intensity in different groups (gender, age, family position, employment and presence of other persons for care (children)) were found. Mild positive correlation between subscale social withdrawal (SSI-F) and age was observed. Discussed: general self-stigma vulnerability in groups of mothers and in persons over 50 years of age were higher, than in other relatives’ groups; sensitivity of internal stigma formation in spouses, working persons and relatives taking care with other family members,including children, had specific features.

Keywords

• self-stigma
• family stigma
• psychosis