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Experience of stigma in private life of relatives of people diagnosed with schizophrenia in the Republic of Belarus

Krupchanka, D
Author Krupchanka, D ORCID Department of Social Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic. dmitry.krupchenko@gmail.com Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK. dmitry.krupchenko@gmail.com
Kruk, N
Author Kruk, N Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Grodno State Medical University, Grodno, Belarus
Murray, J
Author Murray, J Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
Davey, S
Author Davey, S Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
Bezborodovs, N
Author Bezborodovs, N Children's Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia
Winkler, P
Author Winkler, P Department of Social Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
Bukelskis, L
Author Bukelskis, L Faculty of Medicine, Clinic of Psychiatry, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
Sartorius, N
Author Sartorius, N Association for the Improvement of Mental Health Programmes, Geneva, Switzerland

Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology. 2016 May ; 51 (5) : 757-65. [epub] 20160212

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol
ISSN 1433-9285 | 0933-7954
Source

Language English Country Germany Media print-electronic

Document type Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Persistent link https://www.medvik.cz/link/pmid26873615

PubMed 26873615
DOI 10.1007/s00127-016-1190-y
PII: 10.1007/s00127-016-1190-y
Knihovny.cz E-resources

Keywords
Courtesy stigma *, Family studies *, Qualitative approach *,
MeSH
Adaptation, Psychological MeSH
Adult MeSH
Qualitative Research MeSH
Middle Aged MeSH
Humans MeSH
Cost of Illness MeSH
Caregivers psychology MeSH
Prejudice MeSH
Developing Countries * MeSH
Schizophrenic Psychology * MeSH
Schizophrenia diagnosis therapy MeSH
Social Isolation MeSH
Social Stigma * MeSH
Check Tag
Adult MeSH
Middle Aged MeSH
Humans MeSH
Male MeSH
Female MeSH
Publication type
Journal Article MeSH
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Geographicals
Republic of Belarus MeSH

PURPOSE: Family stigma constitutes a major problem in schizophrenia worldwide. Data on first-hand experience of stigma in families is necessary for planning and implementing interventions to reduce its burden. The aim of the study was to investigate the experience of stigma among relatives of persons with schizophrenia in Belarus. METHODS: Qualitative research methods, such as the thematic analysis of in-depth semi-structured interviews with 20 relatives of people diagnosed with schizophrenia, were used. Experience of discrimination, strategies used to cope with it, and requests for interventions were investigated. RESULTS: The most salient themes in experience of stigma in the private domain of life elicited in the narratives included anticipated stigma and dissolution of families. The experience of stigma was associated with burdensome feelings of guilt, tiredness and loneliness, together with fear and anxiety due to uncertainty in the future and sorrow because of frustrated hopes in past. Analysis of the strategies used to overcome the difficulties revealed concealment and "life behind closed doors", avoidance of the rest of the family, taking full responsibility and sacrificing one's personal life. CONCLUSION: To reduce the burden of stigma in the private life of the family members of people living with schizophrenia in Belarus, important steps should be taken to promote the empowerment of families including: reforming mental health services; provision of better access to information; family support services, community care; development of family organisations; assistance in communication, re-socialisation and independent living for people diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Association for the Improvement of Mental Health Programmes Geneva Switzerland

Children's Clinical University Hospital Riga Latvia

Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy Grodno State Medical University Grodno Belarus

Department of Social Psychiatry National Institute of Mental Health Topolová 748 250 67 Klecany Czech Republic

Faculty of Medicine Clinic of Psychiatry Vilnius University Vilnius Lithuania

Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience King's College London London UK

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