The effect on stigma on carers of people with mental illness

Abstract

There is a plethora of nursing literature about stigma in mental illness, though there is a paucity of studies exploring stigma by association. The aim of this study was to investigate the perception of carers of people with mental illness with regards to stigma towards mental illness, their perceptions with regards to stigma by association, whether they gained any beneficial effects and to outline the factors which help them deal with this perceived stigma. An exploratory and quantitative small scale survey design was undertaken. A self-administered questionnaire was used and a convenience sample of fifty carers of patients currently availing themselves of services from the state-owned hospital participated. Findings suggest that 72% of the participants agreed that mental illness is associated with stigma. Carers also agreed that their self-esteem and their relationship with family members were affected. However, as a family, these carers disagreed that they were treated differently because they had a mentally ill relative. 68% of the participants felt supported in carrying the burden of caring for their ill relative and only few reported mental health problems of their own. Blame and concealment was only reported by 40% of the carers. Support from family, information about mental illness, the new advances in treatment and care of mental illness were the most helpful factors reported by the carers. A small number outlines that talking with mental health professionals and interaction with other families as helpful. Media coverage on mental illness was found to be the least helpful. The beneficial effects reported by these carers were personal satisfaction, stronger relationships and increased knowledge. Recommendations based on these findings include involvement of these carers in the care planning of their relatives' illness; counselling and support for carers; informative campaigns to educate everyone about mental illness and the stigma related to it. Moreover, the results also suggests for further larger scale research incorporating more participants to give a broader view on the perception on stigma.