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Self-Stigma & Vicarious Stigma Experienced by Parents of Children with Mental Health Challenges
Title
Self-Stigma & Vicarious Stigma Experienced by Parents of Children with Mental Health Challenges
Creator
Serchuk, Marisa Dyan
Date
2019
Description
Research has been limited regarding the stigma experienced by parents of children with mental health challenges. It is commonly understood...
Show moreResearch has been limited regarding the stigma experienced by parents of children with mental health challenges. It is commonly understood that stigma effects people with lived-experience (e.g., a child with mental health challenges), however, stigma has been noted to have a wide scope, which extends to family members as well. Parents of children with mental health challenges have been found to endorse aspects of self-stigma, specifically regarding public stereotypes of blame and feelings of incompetence. Vicarious stigma is a fairly new area of research, which describes the sad and/or angry response a parent may experience when witnessing their child being stigmatized. The purpose of this study is to examine emotional and behavioral outcomes related to specific types of stigma experienced by parents of children with mental health challenges. Archival data from a larger study of adult participants (N=50), who identified as having a child (age 3-10 years old) with mental health challenges, completed measures examining self-stigma, vicarious stigma, stress, depression, quality of life, disclosure, secrecy coping, and help-seeking. A novel measurement for vicarious stigma was introduced and examined in this study. Results found higher levels of self-stigma and dimensions of vicarious stigma were associated with higher levels of depression as well as diminished quality of life. Higher levels of self-stigma were also associated with lower perceived benefits of disclosing and greater levels of secrecy coping. These findings highlight the importance of further examining the role of stigma for parents of children with mental health challenges.
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How Does Self-Stigma Influence Functionality in People with Serious Mental Illness? A Multiple Mediation Model of "Why-Try" Effect, Coping Resources, and Personal Recovery
Title
How Does Self-Stigma Influence Functionality in People with Serious Mental Illness? A Multiple Mediation Model of "Why-Try" Effect, Coping Resources, and Personal Recovery
Creator
Qin, Sang
Date
2022
Description
People with serious mental illness (SMI) face self-stigma effects that often undermine their functionality. Functionality herein refers to a...
Show morePeople with serious mental illness (SMI) face self-stigma effects that often undermine their functionality. Functionality herein refers to a person's execution of tasks (i.e., activities) and engagement in life situations (i.e., participation). This study used a path model to examine three mediating factors between self-stigma and functionality: The "why-try" effect, coping resources, and personal recovery. Specifically, the “why-try” effect was viewed as an extension of self-stigma harm that occurred when people suffered from a loss of self-esteem and self-efficacy. Coping resources were conceptualized as individuals’ strengths and the support they had to overcome negative stigma outcomes, particularly stigma stress. Endorsement of personal recovery, namely pursuing self-defined life goals despite illness—had a buffering effect reducing self-stigma. These three mediators were examined simultaneously using an archival dataset. Due to poor internal consistency, coping resources were eventually removed from the model; the subsequent, revised model achieved a good model fit. Results showed that people with SMI experiencing self-stigma were found to have an enhanced "why-try" effect as well as reduced personal recovery, leading to a decline in functionality. Implications of the results and future research directions are discussed.
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