Failing to Meet the Good Parent Ideal: Self-Stigma in Parents of Children with Mental Health Disorders

Abstract

Self-stigma detracts from the wellbeing, selfesteem, and social connectedness of adults with mental health disorders. Although emerging research has indicated that self-stigma may have similar consequences for parents of children with mental health disorders, currently we lack a comprehensive description of how parents experience self-stigma. To address this, we investigated parents' lived experiences of self-stigma using a descriptive qualitative approach. Directed by interview questions informed by a parent-based participatory action research group (n = 4), we conducted individual semi-structured interviews with 12 parents of children (aged 5-13) diagnosed with emotional and/or behavioural disorders. Data obtained from interviews with 11 mothers was coded and thematically analysed. Five themes were found: (1) the 'good parent' ideal, (2) awareness of external stigma, (3) outcomes of external stigma (social avoidance and self-doubt), (4) selfstigma (believing self-doubt and external stigma), and (5) refuting self-stigma. Our findings show that parents of children with mental health disorders experience selfstigma. However, because it leads to a diminished sense of being a good parent, the self-stigma is of a different type to that which has been described for adults with mental illness. This has important implications for the conceptualisation and assessment of parent self-stigma as research in this area moves forward.

Effectiveness and Usability of a Web-Based Mindfulness Intervention for Families Living with Mental Illness

“…Caregivers struggle with strong emotions, including worry, (self) stigma, and blame (Eaton et al 2016; Stjernswärd and Östman 2008; Stjernswärd and Hansson 2016b). Low levels of self-compassion have been associated with self-criticism, guilt, rumination, and worry (Raes 2010), and caregivers with low levels of self-compassion that tend to continually subordinate own needs risk compassion fatigue and burnout (Ringenbach 2009).…”

Unconscious Bias and the Diagnosis of Disruptive Behavior Disorders and ADHD in African American and Hispanic Youth

“…Broadly, adolescents with mental health conditions often report feeling stigmatized and isolated from peers, educators, and even family members [53]. Parents themselves report feeling stigmatized as well as a result of their child's diagnosis [54], particularly parents of children with ODD [55]. Although research in this area continues to grow, it is in the clinical and educational experience of the authors and other clinicians [56] that disruptive behavior disorders such as ODD and CD are more stigmatized and therefore less socially supported than ADHD.…”

Caregivers’ characteristics and family constellation variables as predictors of affiliate stigma in caregivers of children with ASD

“…Individuals with developmental disabilities, particularly autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often experience stigmatising public reactions (Ali et al, 2012;Broady et al, 2017;Eaton et al, 2016;Marsack et al, 2018;Tudose et al, 2017). This stigma can spill over to care providers who, by virtue associating with the stigmatised person, also experience negative reactions from the public (Abojabel et al, 2016;Koshorke et al, 2014).…”

“…Across several studies, caregivers commented that schools, even family and close friends, did not know enough about ASD. Caregivers perceived this ultimately led to stigma, characterised by feeling judged (i.e., as an unskilled or incapable parent) and rejected (i.e., from schools), and receiving inadequate support (Broady et al, 2017;Eaton et al, 2016).…”