Perceived stigma and burden in natural caregivers of patients with schizophrenia
Introduction Natural caregivers of patients with schizophrenia are often subjected to stigma by virtue of their association with patients. Affiliate stigma expose caregivers to community rejection, isolation and may have a negative impact on their psychological wellbeing. Objectives This study a...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2021-04-01
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| Series: | European Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S092493382101422X/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1797616235251236864 |
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| author | F. Znaidi R. Jenhani A. Arousse O. Moula R. Ghachem |
| author_facet | F. Znaidi R. Jenhani A. Arousse O. Moula R. Ghachem |
| author_sort | F. Znaidi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction
Natural caregivers of patients with schizophrenia are often subjected to stigma by virtue of their association with patients. Affiliate stigma expose caregivers to community rejection, isolation and may have a negative impact on their psychological wellbeing.
Objectives
This study aimed to assess perceived stigma and burden in a Tunisian population of natural caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and to identify risk factors for developing such disorders.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, including 80 natural caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. We used the Stigma Devaluation Scale (SDS) to assess stigma and the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) to evaluate burden.
Results
The average age of natural caregivers was 55.7 years. The sex ratio (M/F) was 0.86. The mean score of perceived stigma in patients was 24.7. That of perceived stigma in caregivers was 15.34. Assessing the burden on caregivers estimated an average score of 58, corresponding to a severe burden. Medium to high burden was found in 78% of participants. Perceived stigma scores were significantly higher among illiterate caregivers, those linking schizophrenia to hereditary causes, among parents, and in case of daily contact with the patient. Scores of perceived stigma in caregivers were also significantly correlated with burden score.
Conclusions
Natural caregivers of patients with schizophrenia are exposed to affiliate stigma and experience an important level of burden. Our findings emphasize the need to support natural caregivers of persons with schizophrenia and to develop strategies to combat stigmatization among patients as well as their natural caregivers.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:38:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d247ae2116bd48c98579014b03546f4d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0924-9338 1778-3585 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:38:30Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-d247ae2116bd48c98579014b03546f4d2023-11-17T05:09:08ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852021-04-0164S533S53310.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.1422Perceived stigma and burden in natural caregivers of patients with schizophreniaF. Znaidi0R. Jenhani1A. Arousse2O. Moula3R. Ghachem4Manouba, Razi Hospital, Manouba, TunisiaManouba, Razi Hospital, Manouba, TunisiaManouba, Razi Hospital, Manouba, TunisiaManouba, Razi Hospital, Manouba, TunisiaManouba, Razi Hospital, Manouba, Tunisia Introduction Natural caregivers of patients with schizophrenia are often subjected to stigma by virtue of their association with patients. Affiliate stigma expose caregivers to community rejection, isolation and may have a negative impact on their psychological wellbeing. Objectives This study aimed to assess perceived stigma and burden in a Tunisian population of natural caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and to identify risk factors for developing such disorders. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, including 80 natural caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. We used the Stigma Devaluation Scale (SDS) to assess stigma and the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) to evaluate burden. Results The average age of natural caregivers was 55.7 years. The sex ratio (M/F) was 0.86. The mean score of perceived stigma in patients was 24.7. That of perceived stigma in caregivers was 15.34. Assessing the burden on caregivers estimated an average score of 58, corresponding to a severe burden. Medium to high burden was found in 78% of participants. Perceived stigma scores were significantly higher among illiterate caregivers, those linking schizophrenia to hereditary causes, among parents, and in case of daily contact with the patient. Scores of perceived stigma in caregivers were also significantly correlated with burden score. Conclusions Natural caregivers of patients with schizophrenia are exposed to affiliate stigma and experience an important level of burden. Our findings emphasize the need to support natural caregivers of persons with schizophrenia and to develop strategies to combat stigmatization among patients as well as their natural caregivers. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S092493382101422X/type/journal_articleschizophréniaNatural caregiverStigmaBurden |
| spellingShingle | F. Znaidi R. Jenhani A. Arousse O. Moula R. Ghachem Perceived stigma and burden in natural caregivers of patients with schizophrenia European Psychiatry schizophrénia Natural caregiver Stigma Burden |
| title | Perceived stigma and burden in natural caregivers of patients with schizophrenia |
| title_full | Perceived stigma and burden in natural caregivers of patients with schizophrenia |
| title_fullStr | Perceived stigma and burden in natural caregivers of patients with schizophrenia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perceived stigma and burden in natural caregivers of patients with schizophrenia |
| title_short | Perceived stigma and burden in natural caregivers of patients with schizophrenia |
| title_sort | perceived stigma and burden in natural caregivers of patients with schizophrenia |
| topic | schizophrénia Natural caregiver Stigma Burden |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S092493382101422X/type/journal_article |
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