Family members of individuals who experience serious mental illnesses also face social stigma, according to a recent study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. One in three family members who live with a relative with a severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression, reported feeling stigmatized for this close association. The study’s researchers wanted to highlight the challenges faced by this overlooked demographic and found that family members did not receive the necessary social support from even their own families. The phenomenon is referred to as “stigma by association,” in which individuals or groups that are directly stigmatized cause a ripple effect of discrimination among those around them.
The researchers conducted the study by reaching out through various advocacy and health groups, surveying 124 family members, 81 of whom lived with the relative with a severe mental illness, and the other 43 did not. The participants filled out questionnaires that asked about their experiences, including whether they felt they had to hide their relative’s mental illness and if they had people to lean on if need be. Family members reported feelings of loneliness, isolation, blame, and failure, with a third passing the threshold for experiencing stigma by association.
Family members who lived in the same residence as the relative with a severe mental illness were more likely to report feeling stigmatized, as they had taken on additional caregiving duties that brought added stress and the risk of burnout. The study found that society blamed family members for their relative’s mental illness, leading to feelings of self-blame, failure, helplessness, and hopelessness. The researchers noted that family members who struggle with anti-mattering feel as though they cannot talk about their experiences, fearing they may overshadow their relative’s struggles or hurt them.
Since participants were found through community organizations, researchers suggest that the figure of one in three family members experiencing stigma may be higher in the broader population. The study highlights the need for interventions to help family members facing stigma by association, as there are currently few supports for this group. The researchers hope that this study will raise awareness of the challenges faced by family members of those with serious mental illnesses and that their lives are significant, and their experiences matter.