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Patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and their families have the unpleasant and upsetting experiences of stigma. This problem imposes pressures and extreme difficulties on them, besides the difficulties related to the nature and the symptoms of the disorder. The findings reveals the need to develop strategies to help patients and their families effectively encounter stigma.

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Background:Nursing students' self-efficacy is a predictor for their educational progress. Students, who believe that they can be successful in their studies, are more confident. Therefore, many universities have focused on life skills training programs to improve the mental health of their students. Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate and compare self-efficacy in two groups of nursing students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). One group of students was trained on life skill programs, and the second group was not trained on the issue. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted on two groups of nursing students in TUMS in the late 2012. The case group (n = 112) had passed life skills training course, and the control group (n = 139) was not trained on the issue. Data was collected using a questionnaire containing 12 questions about demographic features, and the Sherer's general self-efficacy questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using independent sample t-test, Chi-square, odds ratio, and Fisher's exact test. Results: In the untrained and trained groups, 23% and 8% of the students had very high self-efficacy, respectively. The overall mean scores of self-efficacy were 41.99 ± 9.31 and 38.99 ± 10.48 in the trained and untrained groups, respectively (P = 0.015), and the higher mean score indicates lower level of self-efficacy. A significant difference was also found between the self-efficacy and family income (P = 0.029). Conclusions:The present study showed that life skills training program did not affect self-efficacy of nursing students. Perhaps, the methods used in education were influencing and then, more effective techniques such as role-play and group discussion should be substituted in life skills training.

Background: The way people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and families address stigma has a significant role in their vulnerability to this distressing phenomenon. However, there is little knowledge about this issue in Middle Eastern countries.Purpose: Exploring the process of addressing stigma in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and families.Design and Methods: In our grounded theory study, we interviewed seven patients and nine family members and used a constant comparative analysis approach for data analysis. Findings:The participants expressed being socially rejected and oppressed by others.In addressing stigma, the patients and families surrendered passively and reluctantly.This main strategy sometimes led to deprivation and isolation and sometimes resulted in lessening their tension.Practice Implications: Mental health nurses can empower patients and families with the skills necessary to counter stigma and, in this way, modify the sense of disability as an obstacle to stigma resistance. Also, mental health nurses can modify the contextual factors of stigma by initiating campaigns, educating society members, and involving them in fighting stigma.