Stigma as experienced by family members of people with severe mental illness
Subtitle: the impact of participation in self-help/mutual aid support groups.
Published: 2004
Language: eng
Number of pages: 307
Description: Methods. This study used a cross-sectional mixed method design to understand family members' experiences of stigma and to develop and test a conceptual model which hypothesized the potential ways in which participation in SHMA groups may promote effective strategies for coping with stigma. The quantitative sample consisted of 197 family members from two SHMA organizations. A qualitative purposive sub-sample of 15 people was recruited for in-depth qualitative interviews. Analysis of the quantitative data used structural equation modeling, a comprehensive, flexible approach to modeling relations among variables that tests and modifies theories. The semi-structured qualitative interviews, designed to explore the nature of stigma as experienced by families, were analyzed using a modified grounded theory and constant comparative approach.Background rationale. The recent restructuring of the mental health care system has led to an increased emphasis on the importance of family caregivers. Research has indicated that families of persons with mental illness bear enormous emotional, social and financial hardships when they assume caregiving responsibilities of their mentally ill family members. In particular, families have been adversely affected by experiences of stigma through interactions with the general public and with a mental health care system that has failed to consider their needs a priority. Stigma and discrimination related to mental illness have led family members to organize into valuable self-help/mutual aid (SHMA) groups.Results. The hypothesized theoretical model proposing a set of relations between the variables of social support, empowerment, coping, caregiver burden and stigma demonstrated an excellent fit to the sample data. Analysis of the qualitative interviews led to the development of four major thematic categories, including the complex ways that families understand, suffer, survive and combat stigma. The results of this study led to a number of important clinical practice, research and policy recommendations.
Notes: Adviser:  Paula Goering.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Toronto, 2004.

Electronic version licensed for access by U. of T. users.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 65-05, Section: B, page: 2345.