"The Effects of Self-Stigma on Occupational Engagement for Adults with " by Alyssa A. Kostreba and Taylor E. LaVoi

Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Sonia Zimmerman

Keywords

Mentally Ill Persons--psychology; Quality of Life; Self Concept

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the impacts of self-stigma on everyday occupations of persons with serious and persistent mental illness. Greater understanding of the impacts of self-stigma is important to development of occupation-based interventions used by occupational therapists in mental health settings.

Methodology: A qualitative phenomenological approach was utilized to interview six participants between the ages of 31-58 years old with severe and persistent mental illness. High level in vivo coding was used to interpret participant responses.

Results: Four themes emerged from participant interviews: 1) negative impact on self, 2) coping with negative social encounters, 3) positive contributions to one’s sense of self, and 4) acceptance of diagnosis and acknowledged need for medication. Self-stigma is experienced as changes in sense of self with the greatest impact shortly after the initial diagnosis of the mental illness; with time and external supports, the individual learns to accept and cope with the diagnosis, resulting in decreased self-stigma and increased occupational engagement.

Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, OTs are encouraged to provide interventions early in the course of the illness to counteract the negative impacts of self-esteem and self-efficacy associated with self-stigma on occupational engagement. Research findings could be used to develop a screening tool to determine the presence of self-stigma of clients receiving mental health OT services and guide intervention planning.

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