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Experience of Stigma by Families with Mentally Ill Members

College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center

BACKGROUND: More than 4 million American families live with severely mentally ill members. The cost is substantial. Consequences of stigma produce a component of that cost.

OBJECTIVE: The study’s purposes were to examine the experience of stigma from a family member’s perspective, to analyze stigma types and consequences, and to search for management strategies.

STUDY DESIGN: This qualitative study was based on a framework of symbolic interaction and dramaturgical interviewing. Twenty-six respondents, all with mentally ill relatives, participated in a 1¹/2- to 2-hour semi-structured interview.

RESULTS: Stigma was experienced as part of a sequential process and occurred in private and public life domains including internalized, family centered, direct personalized, and indirect institutionalized types. Although a decrease in direct, public, personalized stigma was reported, institution stigma was viewed as highly problematic. Successful management and self-disclosure techniques were noted.

CONCLUSION: Although types of stigma remain problematic, successful management strategies are possible.

Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, Vol. 8, No. 3, 76-83 (2002)
DOI: 10.1067/mpn.2002.125222


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