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Stigma among I ranian family caregivers of patients with A lzheimer's disease: A hermeneutic study
Author(s) -
Navab Elham,
Negarandeh Reza,
Peyrovi Hamid,
Navab Peyman
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
nursing and health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.563
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1442-2018
pISSN - 1441-0745
DOI - 10.1111/nhs.12017
Subject(s) - shame , feeling , stigma (botany) , family caregivers , qualitative research , disease , psychology , prejudice (legal term) , medicine , clinical psychology , psychiatry , gerontology , social psychology , social science , pathology , sociology
Abstract Although there is evidence of stigmatization of patients with A lzheimer's disease, few studies have evaluated stigma among family caregivers. This study was aimed at understanding the experiences of family caregivers of persons with A lzheimer's disease within I ran. We conducted a qualitative study using hermeneutic phenomenology. Semistructured in‐depth interviews with 10 I ranian family caregivers of persons with A lzheimer's were audiotaped and transcribed. The transcriptions were then analyzed using V an M anen's method. Family stigma emerged as one of the most important themes in this study. It consisted of two subthemes of “feeling of shame due to the unusual behaviors and speech of the patients” and “fear of judgments made by others.” An understanding of the experience of family stigma may lead to the development of supportive strategies to manage this problem among the caregivers. Educating families of patients about the disease plays a critical role in facilitating the process of caregiving. In addition, promoting public awareness about A lzheimer's disease can diminish stigma and prejudice toward patients and their caregivers. Educating caregivers on stigma management may also be an important factor in alleviating their stress.