The bipolar patients’ family experiences of the outcomes of encountering stigma in Tehran: A qualitative study

Abstract

Introduction: Nowadays, the most common psychological-social pressure to which bipolar patients’ families are exposed is stigma. Therefore, the present study was conducted to delve into the bipolar patients’ family experiences of the outcomes of encountering stigma. Method: The study was of qualitative type. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants from the persons suffering from bipolar disorder and their families. Twenty seven of the participants were interviewed. The main data collection instrument was semi-structured interview with open questions. Additionally, the collected data were analyzed via inductive content analysis method. The accuracy and validity of the study rooted in four factors: credibility, transferability, verifiability, and reliability. Results: Data analysis led to 1,326 primary codes, which were further categorized into five main categories as the main outcomes of encountering stigma (social deprivation, emotional and sentimental excitement, objective and behavioral reflections, family solidarity threat, and separation from society) and 21 sub-categories. Conclusion: Given then irreparable outcomes of stigma for bipolar patients’ family, it is necessary to take it into consideration. It is recommended to use media and also hygienic-treatment centers to educate different levels of society as to appropriate treatment with these patients and their families.