Experiences of stigma in psychosis: A qualitative analysis of service users’ perspectives

Abstract

Background: Psychosis is associated with a high degree of stigma. There is relatively little qualitative research exploring service users’ experienced, perceived and internalised stigma and its impact on their lives.

Material: Data from semi-structured interviews with 12 service users with experience of psychosis were subjected to secondary qualitative analysis.

Discussion: Six overarching themes were identified concerning: understandings of psychosis; experiences of stigma; impacts on self; emotional responses; behavioural responses; and impact on recovery.

Conclusions: Stigma is a key concern for service users with psychosis. Detailed assessment of stigma should be considered in clinical services and interventions developed to reduce stigma.

Keywords:

• stigma
• psychosis
• schizophrenia
• internalised stigma
• qualitative
• thematic analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.