Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness among Schizophrenic Patients and Their Families (Comparative Study)

This study was a comparative study aiming to assess the extent of internalized stigma of mental illness among patients with schizophrenia & identify stigma as perceived by family members caring schizophrenic patients. The study was conducted in two settings 1st clinic was outpatient clinic for psychiatric patient affiliated to Abbasia hospitals which provided care for all sectors in Egyptians community. 2nd clinic was out patients clinic for psychiatric patient affiliated to Abha psychiatric hospitals which providing care for all psychiatric patients at Asser region. 4 instruments were used for collecting the data, interviewing questionnaire, Insight scale, Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale and Stigma Impact Scale: Caregiver (SIS). The main result revealed that, there were highly statistically significant differences between patients regarding level of internalizing stigma and the most of family caregivers in both groups have moderate impact of internalizing stigma. The study recommended that further research be done to assess impact of mental illness stigma upon schizophrenic quality of life.