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Stigma: a Unique Source of Distress for Family Members of Individuals with Mental Illness

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Abstract

To distinguish the impact of mental illness stigma from that of other negative caregiving experiences, this study examined the unique relationships between stigma and caregiver/family functioning. Adult relatives (n = 437) of individuals with mental illness completed questionnaires regarding caregiving experiences, distress, empowerment, and family functioning, as part of a larger study. Regression analyses examined the relationship between stigma and caregiver/family variables, while controlling for other negative caregiving experiences. Stigma was uniquely associated with caregiver distress, empowerment, and family functioning. Mental illness stigma is a potent source of distress for families and an important target of family services.

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported by grant 1R01-MH72667-01A1 from the National Institute of Mental Health. This material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Maryland Healthcare System. The authors extend sincere thanks to the Maryland NAMI affiliates and FTF teachers, and to study participants, without whose assistance, this investigation would not have been possible.

Conflict of Interest

The authors of this manuscript report no conflicts of interest with regard to the content of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Veterans Affairs Capitol Health Care Network (VISN 5) Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Attn: MIRECC (Annex Building), 10 N. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Anjana Muralidharan PhD, Alicia Lucksted PhD & Deborah Medoff PhD

  2. Division of Psychiatric Services Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Anjana Muralidharan PhD, Alicia Lucksted PhD, Deborah Medoff PhD & Li Juan Fang MS

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Lisa Dixon MD, MPH

  4. Center for Practice Innovations, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Lisa Dixon MD, MPH

Authors
  1. Anjana Muralidharan PhD
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  2. Alicia Lucksted PhD
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  3. Deborah Medoff PhD
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  4. Li Juan Fang MS
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  5. Lisa Dixon MD, MPH
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anjana Muralidharan PhD.

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Muralidharan, A., Lucksted, A., Medoff, D. et al. Stigma: a Unique Source of Distress for Family Members of Individuals with Mental Illness. J Behav Health Serv Res 43, 484–493 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-014-9437-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-014-9437-4

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