Investigation of the relationship between stigma in the relatives of the patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder and the levels of stigmatization of the patient in the framework of demographic and clinical characteristics

The aim of the study is to examine the relationship between the level of stigma felt by the relatives of patients with bipolar disorder and the level of stigmatization of the patient. In addition, it is to determine the stigma and stigma levels of patients' relatives according to which demographic and clinical characteristics change. The sample of the study consists of relatives of patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder who applied to Bursa Uludağ University Medical Faculty Hospital Psychiatry Department. Within the scope of the research, 124 patient relatives between the ages of 18-65 were reached. The demographic information form and clinical characteristics form for the patients, the demographic information form for the relatives of the patients, the Beliefs towards Mental Illness Scale and the Stigma Scale for the Families of Psychiatric Patients were applied to the participants, respectively. The findings are that the relatives of the patients stigmatize the patient to the extent that they feel stigmatized. A positive and significant correlation was found between the scores of the relatives of the patients from the Beliefs towards Mental Illness Scale and the Stigma Scale for the Families of Psychiatric Patients. Stigma and stigmatization levels are affected by the gender, age, marital status, education level, income level, employment status of the patient's relatives, the place where they spend most of their life, their proximity to the patient, the duration of care for the patient, whether they have previous caregiving experience or not. Patients' gender, age, marital status, education level, income level, employment status, place where they spent most of their life, duration of illness, number of hospitalizations, number of attacks, severity of attacks and treatment style affect the stigmatization and stigmatization levels of patients' relatives. As a result of the study, it was seen what demographic and clinical characteristics affect the stigma levels of patients with bipolar disorder and their relatives. Anti-stigmatization programs for psychiatric disorders need to be restructured and effective intervention strategies should be developed in the light of the findings of this study on bipolar disorder.