Overcoming Internalized Stigma in Persons with Psychiatric Disabilities / 정신간호학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This phenomenological study was done to identify comprehensively and in depth the experience of overcoming internalized stigma in persons with psychiatric disabilities. METHODS: Data were collected from December 2015 to June 2016 with 10 persons who had psychiatric disabilities. The participants took part in interviews on their experiences of overcoming stigma. The collected data were analyzed using Colaizzi method. RESULTS: From the raw data obtained from the study participants, 12 themes and 5 theme clusters were identified. The 5 theme clusters were found to be ‘being locked up in one's own stigma’, ‘trying to escape from the self in constraints’, ‘overcoming oneself by oneself’, ‘getting to see the true self’, and ‘living the life desired’. CONCLUSION: Study findings indicate the necessity of developing a mediation program to reduce and overcome the internalized stigma in the persons with psychiatric disabilities. A national and social effort is necessary for persons with psychiatric disabilities to help them overcome the internalized stigma.