Level of Stigma Towards Mental Illness among the Caregivers of Clients With Mental Illness and Other Chronic Medical Illness

Abstract

Background: Mental illness is considered to be associated with high level of stigma. The stigmatizingexperience is not only limited to the patients but is also experienced by their close relatives. Due to the stigma,people often avoid the use of mental health services because of the fear of being labeled as a “mentally illpatient” and thus avoid the negative consequences connected with the stigma of mental illness.Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the level of stigma towards mental illness between the caregiversof clients with mental illness and other chronic illness.Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted that included 200 subjects ofwhich 100 from group I (caregivers of clients with mental illness) and 100 from group II (caregivers ofclients with other chronic illness). Convenient sampling method was used. Fear and Behavioural Intentionscale was used to assess the level of stigma.Results: Group I had positive attitude towards mental illness with the mean score of 37.21±7.13 whereasGroup II had less positive attitude towards mental illness with the mean score of 27.48±7.98.Conclusion: The study results indicate that caregivers who have their family member under treatment formental illness were more likely to have behaviourally favourable attitude towards mental illness whencomparing with the caregivers who do not have a family member with mental illness. Educating the publicon mental illness may reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.