Responses to stigma-related stressors: a qualitative inquiry into the lives of people living with schizophrenia in India

Abstract

ABSTRACTA person’s capacity to counteract mental illness stigma is significant in combating stigma. However, little is known about how people cope against mental illness stigma and factors that guide the same. In the present study, the author attempts to investigate coping responses of people living with schizophrenia (PLS) to stigma-related stressors in an urban metropolis in Western India. Employing qualitative methods, in-depth interviews were conducted to collect data from 20 PLS, attending psychiatric clinics, peer support groups and mental health agencies across the city of Mumbai, India. Thematic analysis suggested five main domains of stigma-related stressors: (1) ‘illness’ labeling; (2) labeling, violence and abuse; (3) rejection; (4) job loss; and (5) anticipatory discrimination. Participants responded to stigma stressors by being either helpless or resistant, but there were complex, multi-level factors, such as gender, employment, familial roles and responsibilities, support system, living arra...