‘They Don't Include Me and My Family in A Normal Picture…’ Perspectives of People With Schizophrenia on Family Stigma and its Effects on Their Lives

Although combating stigma is a fundamental intervention area that should be addressed in comprehensive care, information on the effect of the family's experience of stigma on the lives of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia is limited. This study was aimed at exploring the family's experience of stigma from the perspective of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and the effects of this experience on the patient's life. In this study, a descriptive qualitative approach was employed, and the participants were recruited from a university hospital in Türkiye. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Data were analysed via content analysis. The data were categorised into five themes: (1) dimensions of the stigma experience, (2) causes of family stigma, (3) confronting the effects of stigma, (4) efforts to control stigma and (5) recommendations. Family stigma is a difficulty that is accompanied by distressing emotions and social losses and restricts the lives of both patients and their families. Society's stereotypes towards the patient and the family, aggression and psychotic symptoms have been associated with the family stigma. In order to control stigma, family members limit the patient's behaviours, which puts the patient under pressure. Nurses should question the family's experience of stigmatisation, the psychosocial consequences of this experience on the patient and family and strategies coping with stigma. They should help family members be aware of coping methods that negatively affect the patient and develop adaptive coping skills through psychoeducational interventions and should create stigma-free social environments for both the patient and the family.