title: Stigma among Iranian family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease: A hermeneutic study.
abstract: Although there is evidence of stigmatization of patients with Alzheimer's disease, few studies have evaluated stigma among family caregivers. This study was aimed at understanding the experiences of family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease within Iran. We conducted a qualitative study using hermeneutic phenomenology. Semistructured in-depth interviews with 10 Iranian family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's were audiotaped and transcribed. The transcriptions were then analyzed using Van Manen's method. Family stigma emerged as one of the most important themes in this study. It consisted of two subthemes of "feeling of shame due to the unusual behaviors and speech of the patients" and "fear of judgments made by others." An understanding of the experience of family stigma may lead to the development of supportive strategies to manage this problem among the caregivers. Educating families of patients about the disease plays a critical role in facilitating the process of caregiving. In addition, promoting public awareness about Alzheimer's disease can diminish stigma and prejudice toward patients and their caregivers. Educating caregivers on stigma management may also be an important factor in alleviating their stress.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
authors.forename: Elham
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Navab
authors.affiliation: Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Negarandeh
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Peyrovi
authors.affiliation: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Peyman
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Navab
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D066297:Hermeneutics; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012494:Sampling Studies; D057545:Social Stigma; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*