Self-Stigma, Mental Health and Healthy Habits in Parent of Children with Severe Mental Disorder

Abstract

Background: Family members who have children with Severe Mental Disorder under their care have a hard impact on them as they are faced with the task of attending to their demands and care. This is a change in their lives as it significantly interferes with their physical and social well-being. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between self-stigma, depression, stress and anxiety and their relationship with healthy habits, such as sport and a healthy diet. Methods: The sample consisted of 538 parents aged between 38 and 52 years (M = 43.42; SD = 13.11). The parents have children with a diagnosis of mental disorder under their care. Participants completed the Spanish adaptation of the Self-Stigma in Relatives of people with Mental Illness (SSRMI), the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Kidmed Scale and the WHO scale, whose responses were analysed using structural equation modelling. Results: The results showed that self-stigma was positively related to anxiety, stress and depression and, in turn, these three variables were negatively related to sporting activity and healthy eating. Conclusion: This study, therefore, is further evidence of the impact of self-stigma at the physical and mental level on family members, which highlights the need to provide them with support tools and resources, and to work on raising social awareness of mental disorders.