A Qualitative Investigation of Self-Stigma Among Adolescents Taking Psychiatric Medication

Abstract

Objective:The extant literature describes stigma in two forms, public stigma and self-stigma. Public stigma pertains to negative social behaviors, reactions, attitudes, and beliefs directed toward people with mental illness and among persons with mental illness. Self-stigma concerns the internalized effects of public stigma. Although both types of stigma have negative impacts on people with mental illness, they produce different effects. In particular, self-stigma can negatively affect self-esteem, social relationships, willingness to engage in life opportunities, and adherence to psychiatric services. Few adult stigma models represent self-stigma, and no models exist that examine self-stigma among adolescents with a mental illness. Because of developmental differences, adolescent self-stigma may be distinct from that of adults. This study aimed to develop a self-stigma model to elucidate youths' responses to mental illness labels and how psychiatric services affect self-image and self-efficacy. Methods: The qualitative study included a sample of 27 adolescents between the ages of 12 and17 who took psychiatric medication for a mental illness diagnosis. A semistructured interview, the Teen Subjective Experience Medication Interview, was used to query adolescents about their perceptions of having a psychiatric diagnosis and of taking psychiatric medication. The analytic strategy identified a sequence of narrative plot components that illustrated a self-stigma process among adolescents. Results: The findings revealed a self-stigma model comprising three narrative components: stereotype, differentiate, and protect. Conclusions: The adolescent model was similar to yet distinct from the adult model, and developmental differences may contribute to the variation. The need for future research to validate an adolescent self-stigma model is discussed.

Facility based cross-sectional study of self stigma among people with mental illness: towards patient empowerment approach

“…The inverse relationship between self esteem and self stigma was reported in previous studies [7-9,28] and when we talk of self stigma, it is more or less directly or indirectly related with self esteem. In line with the above mentioned literature, a significant inverse relationship was found between self esteem on the one hand, and stereotype endorsement, stigma resistance and the overall self stigma scores on the other hand.…”

What are college students saying about psychiatric medication?

“…The experience of the lone African American student raises important questions regarding the influence of familial perceptions on psychiatric treatment and community integration. Recent research [10] indicates that African American adolescents have a more intense experience of self-stigma in comparison with White adolescents. This was attributed to African American families expressing more negative views about mental illness stereotypes and characteristics to their children who have a psychiatric disability.…”

“…Additional research should be conducted at a variety of university and college settings including public and private institutions, community colleges, institutions with military or faith-based ties, and those in different geographic locations. Students of diverse races and cultures would be crucial groups to compare, especially since research [10,14] indicates minority groups' reluctance to utilize psychiatric medications, and negative perceptions toward help-seeking for mental illness. In addition, minority students may experience multiple stigmas, which could increase the level of stigma they experience with regards to mental health concerns.…”

“…Ultimately, stigma can decimate life satisfaction of people with mental illness by reducing opportunities. The extant literature indicates variability in stigma experience among different age groups, particularly adolescents and adults [10]. Minimal work examines the lived experience of stigma among college students.…”

Factors Affecting Medication Adherence in Children Receiving Outpatient Pharmacotherapy and Parental Adherence

“…For instance, Floersch et al (2009) conducted interviews with adolescents about their subjective experiences with psychotropic medication therapy and found that although youth believed in the need for and effectiveness of psychotropic medication, they had many questions about how these medications work and substantial concerns about side effects. Floersch et al (2009) suggested that these results occurred because of a large gap in the experience and knowledge of youth regarding the effects and side effects of medication.Additionally, Kranke, Floersch, Kranke, and Munson (2011) conducted interviews with adolescents about their subjective experiences with psychotropic medication therapy, and found an association between taking medications and self-stigma. Specifically, many adolescents had experienced stigma and shame related to their condition and therefore preferred not to disclose their use of psychotropic medication.…”