AIM: A longer duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is associated with greater morbidity in the early course of schizophrenia. This formative, hypothesis-generating study explored the effects of stigma, as perceived by family members, on DUP. METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 12 African American family members directly involved in treatment initiation for a relative with first-episode psychosis. Data analysis relied on a grounded theory approach. A testable model informed by constructs of Link's modified labelling theory was developed. RESULTS: Four main themes were identified, including: (i) society's beliefs about mental illnesses; (ii) families' beliefs about mental illnesses; (iii) fear of the label of a mental illness; and (iv) a raised threshold for the initiation of treatment. A grounded theory model was developed as a schematic representation of the themes and subthemes uncovered in the family members' narratives. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that due to fear of the official label of a mental illness, certain coping mechanisms may be adopted by families, which may result in a raised threshold for treatment initiation, and ultimately treatment delay. If the relationships within the grounded theory model are confirmed by further qualitative and quantitative research, public educational programs could be developed with the aim of reducing this threshold, ultimately decreasing DUP.
AIM: A longer duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is associated with greater morbidity in the early course of schizophrenia. This formative, hypothesis-generating study explored the effects of stigma, as perceived by family members, on DUP. METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 12 African American family members directly involved in treatment initiation for a relative with first-episode psychosis. Data analysis relied on a grounded theory approach. A testable model informed by constructs of Link's modified labelling theory was developed. RESULTS: Four main themes were identified, including: (i) society's beliefs about mental illnesses; (ii) families' beliefs about mental illnesses; (iii) fear of the label of a mental illness; and (iv) a raised threshold for the initiation of treatment. A grounded theory model was developed as a schematic representation of the themes and subthemes uncovered in the family members' narratives. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that due to fear of the official label of a mental illness, certain coping mechanisms may be adopted by families, which may result in a raised threshold for treatment initiation, and ultimately treatment delay. If the relationships within the grounded theory model are confirmed by further qualitative and quantitative research, public educational programs could be developed with the aim of reducing this threshold, ultimately decreasing DUP.
Authors: Inge Joa; Jan Olav Johannessen; Bjørn Auestad; Svein Friis; Thomas McGlashan; Ingrid Melle; Stein Opjordsmoen; Erik Simonsen; Per Vaglum; Tor K Larsen Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2007-09-28 Impact factor: 9.306
Authors: Michael T Compton; Victoria H Chien; Amy S Leiner; Sandra M Goulding; Paul S Weiss Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2008-07-05 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Ingrid Melle; Tor K Larsen; Ulrik Haahr; Svein Friis; Jan O Johannesen; Stein Opjordsmoen; Bjørn R Rund; Erik Simonsen; Per Vaglum; Thomas McGlashan Journal: Arch Gen Psychiatry Date: 2008-06
Authors: Craig Morgan; Rudwan Abdul-Al; Julia M Lappin; Peter Jones; Paul Fearon; Morven Leese; Tim Croudace; Kevin Morgan; Paola Dazzan; Tom Craig; Julian Leff; Robin Murray Journal: Br J Psychiatry Date: 2006-11 Impact factor: 9.319
Authors: Sarah Kamens; Larry Davidson; Emily Hyun; Nev Jones; Jill Morawski; Matthew Kurtz; Jessica Pollard; Gerrit Ian van Schalkwyk; Vinod Srihari Journal: Psychosis Date: 2018-10-25