Relationship of stigma with burden and coping among caregivers of patients with severe mental disorders

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the association of stigma with the caregiver burden and coping. Methodology: One hundred and sixteen adult caregivers of persons with severe mental illness were evaluated on the Stigma Scale for Caregivers of People with Mental Illness (CPMI), Family Burden Interview (FBI) Schedule, and Family Coping Questionnaire. Results: In terms of stigma, the mean total score was highest for the affective component followed by behavioral and least for the cognitive component of CPMI. On FBI, the highest burden was reported for the financial burden followed by disruption of routine family activities, disruption of family leisure activities, disruption of family interaction, the effect on the physical health of others, and effect on the mental health of others. The most common coping strategy used by the caregivers was gathering information followed by positive communication and patient's social involvement. A higher level of stigma in all the domains was associated with a significantly higher burden in all the domains of the objective burden, except for effect on physical and mental health on others. Higher use of copings such as positive communication and social interests was associated with higher stigma in all the domains except for lack of significant association between positive communication and cognitive domain of stigma. Higher use of resignation as a coping mechanism was associated with a higher stigma in the cognitive domain of CPMI. Conclusion: This study shows that a higher level of stigma among caregivers of patients with severe mental disorder is associated with higher objective caregiver burden and higher use of coping mechanisms such as positive communication and social interest. Accordingly, it can be said that any effort to mitigate the caregiver burden needs to take stigma into account.