Insight into the Stigma of Suicide Loss Survivors: Factor Analyses of Family Stereotypes, Prejudices, and Discriminations

Abstract

Families of individuals who die by suicide report public stigma that threatens their well-being. This study used a community-based participatory (CBPR) approach to describe a factor structure for the family stigma of suicide. Candidate items (n = 82) from a previous qualitative study were presented in an online survey format. Members of the public (n = 232) indicated how much they thought items represented public views and behaviors towards family members who lost a loved one to suicide. Factor analyses revealed two factors for stereotypes (dysfunctional, blameworthy), one factor for prejudice (fear and distrust), and three factors for discrimination (exclusion, secrecy, and avoidance).

Keywords:

• discrimination
• family
• prejudice
• stereotypes
• stigma
• suicide

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Patrick W. Corrigan

Patrick W. Corrigan, Psychology Department, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Lindsay Sheehan

Lindsay Sheehan, Psychology Department, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Maya A. Al-Khouja

Maya A. Al-Khouja, Psychology Department, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Stanley Lewy

Stanley Lewy, Suicide Prevention Association, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Deborah R. Major

Deborah R. Major, Catholic Charities, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Jessica Mead

Jessica Mead, Catholic Charities, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Megghun Redmon

Megghun Redmon, Suicide Prevention Services of America, Batavia, Illinois, USA.

Charles T. Rubey

Charles T. Rubey, Catholic Charities, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Stephanie Weber

Stephanie Weber, Suicide Prevention Services of America, Batavia, Illinois, USA.