title: Stigma: a Unique Source of Distress for Family Members of Individuals with Mental Illness.
abstract: To distinguish the impact of mental illness stigma from that of other negative caregiving experiences, this study examined the unique relationships between stigma and caregiver/family functioning. Adult relatives (n = 437) of individuals with mental illness completed questionnaires regarding caregiving experiences, distress, empowerment, and family functioning, as part of a larger study. Regression analyses examined the relationship between stigma and caregiver/family variables, while controlling for other negative caregiving experiences. Stigma was uniquely associated with caregiver distress, empowerment, and family functioning. Mental illness stigma is a potent source of distress for families and an important target of family services.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Capitol Health Care Network (VISN 5) Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Attn: MIRECC (Annex Building), 10 N. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA. anjana.muralidharan2@va.gov.|Division of Psychiatric Services Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA. anjana.muralidharan2@va.gov.
authors.forename: Anjana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muralidharan
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Capitol Health Care Network (VISN 5) Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Attn: MIRECC (Annex Building), 10 N. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.|Division of Psychiatric Services Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucksted
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Capitol Health Care Network (VISN 5) Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Attn: MIRECC (Annex Building), 10 N. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.|Division of Psychiatric Services Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Medoff
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychiatric Services Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
authors.forename: Li Juan
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.|Center for Practice Innovations, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dixon
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D057545:Social Stigma; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Caregiver burden; Family; Mental illness; Stigma