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The Narrated Subjective Experience of Stigma for Adolescents Diagnosed with a Mental Illness and Prescribed Psychiatric Medication

Kranke, Derrick Alan
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1238017177

Abstract Details

2009, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Social Welfare.
The rate of mental illness diagnoses and use of psychiatric medications among adolescents has increased dramatically (Safer, Zito, & dosReis, 2003). The intended consequence of treatment is to improve functioning and reduce symptoms. However, the unintended consequence of treatment is stigmatization. Minimal research has been conducted on adolescent experience of mental health stigma (Hinshaw, 2007). The extant empirical literature suggests that adults suffer harmful effects of stigma. Research consistently documents that adults who experience mental health stigma have limited opportunities in employment, housing, and intimate relationships. However, adolescents have different developmental tasks, and adolescent experience of stigma therefore may be different. In addition, research suggests adolescents reach developmental milestones at different rates (Kroger, 2007). Younger and older adolescents experience different pressures, demands, and peer interactions, raising the question whether the experience of stigma differs by conceptually developed ages.The aim of this qualitative study was to explore stigma effects among adolescents who have been prescribed psychiatric medication for a mental illness. The purpose was to answer the following questions: (a) Do adolescents experience stigma effects similar to that of adults? (b) Do adolescents experience distinctive/additional effects of stigma? (c) Do younger and older adolescents experience stigma differently? The experience of stigma among younger and older adolescents was compared using thematic and structural analysis. Results indicated that younger and older adolescents do experience stigma effects similar to those of adults—secrecy, shame, and limiting interaction—though context varies across the life span. In addition, qualitative analysis revealed several new effects pertaining to both groups of adolescents: not understanding diagnosis, family perception affecting attitudes toward mental health, and school environment affecting perceptions toward mental health. Stigma experience was contextual and was influenced by adolescent developmental concerns about fitting in, peer perceptions, and social interaction. The findings have implications for mental health needs in schools and raise particular concerns about the negative effect of stigma on peer relationships. Although the findings revealed similarities between the groups of adolescents and adults, the analysis was cross-sectional and thus one must be cautious about the interpretation.
Jerry Floersch, PhD (Committee Chair)
Eileen Anderson-Fye, EdD (Committee Member)
Kathleen Farkas, PhD (Committee Member)
Elizabeth Tracy, PhD (Committee Member)
216 p.
Mental Health; Social Work
stigma; mental illness; psychiatric medication; adolescent development; qualitative analysis

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kranke, D. A. (2009). The Narrated Subjective Experience of Stigma for Adolescents Diagnosed with a Mental Illness and Prescribed Psychiatric Medication [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1238017177

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kranke, Derrick. The Narrated Subjective Experience of Stigma for Adolescents Diagnosed with a Mental Illness and Prescribed Psychiatric Medication. 2009. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1238017177.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kranke, Derrick. "The Narrated Subjective Experience of Stigma for Adolescents Diagnosed with a Mental Illness and Prescribed Psychiatric Medication." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1238017177

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1238017177
1,166
© 2009, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.