Стигматизація психічно хворих з погляду їхніх родичів на прикладі фокус-групового дослідження матерів психічно хворих

Abstract

З огляду на незначну кількість в Україні емпіричних досліджень стигми психічно хворих осіб, для розширення цієї теми було проведено фокус-групове дослідження з матерями психічно хворих. Це важлива тема як для психіатрії, в контексті її практичних проблем, так і для соціології психічного здоров’я, що наразі представлена в Україні лише соціальною психіатрією. Дослідження показало, що стигма існує, проте іноді набуває неочікуваних значень. Також виявлено, що існує внутрішньосімейна стигма, якої зазнають психічно хворі в сім’ї.

There is very little empirical research on stigma of mentally ill in Ukraine. This topic is important not only for practical problems of psychiatry but also for sociology of mental health that is now provided only with social psychiatry. The focus group research with mothers of mentally ill was conducted to explore this topic. It is a partial replication of research conducted by Schulze and Angermeyer in Germany. One focus group with mothers of mentally ill was made in the Center of Medical and Social Rehabilitation of TMA “Psychiatry” in Kyiv. In addition to the focus group, six pilot interviews were also included in the analysis. The examples provided in the replicated study were grouped by social psychological conceptualization of Galetska, the sections about stereotypes, prejudice, stigma and discrimination. The results of the research indicate that stigma exists and sometimes gets unexpected forms. The stereotypes of mentally ill as aggressive and stupid are most common. Prejudice mostly takes place on the level of society and strongly affects the quality of life of the mentally ill. Even though stigma is not so widespread, some cases were mentioned. Discrimination was also mentioned, but mothers mainly reported that it was rare. Some new topics emerged in the discussion on the focus group such as dissatisfaction of mothers with their mentally ill children and relationships with them, relationships with friends, shame and pain, life except the illness of the relative and burden of his or her disease for them, lack of information in general and how to behave with the mentally ill’s relative, social neglect, public attitudes and rejection of the mentally ill in society, paid psychiatry and its problems in Ukraine, trauma of hospitalization for their relatives and demand that mental illnesses must be treated like any other illness. Some other topics were also mentioned. The most important finding is the discovery of intrafamily stigma.