Self-Stigmatization in children receiving mental health treatment in Lahore, Pakistan

Introduction: Self-stigma has a negative impact on the lives of children with mental health illnesses. It is a massive obstacle in the way of seeking professional help and poses a challenge to clinician's efforts to timely intervene and provide treatment.

Aim: The aim of our study was to measure the stigma associated with mental illness in children with a variety of psychiatric diagnoses.

Methods: Following Institutional Review Board approval, an interviewer-based questionnaire was administered to children (aged 8-12 years), receiving treatment in Child Psychiatry Department at a tertiary care hospital in Lahore. The questionnaire comprised of Demographic Information Form and Paediatric Self-Stigmatization Scale (PaedS). In addition, parent / caregiver also completed a modified sub scale of the PaedS measuring the children's rejection by others due to their mental health difficulties.

Results: 110 children with various psychiatric problems, were interviewed with a mean age of 10 years + 1.7. Widespread presence of self-stigmatization was found in these children with particularly high scores for the scales of Societal Devaluation (2.6 + 0.54), Secrecy (2.85 + 0.59) and Self stigma (2.7 + 0.70). Almost two third of parents also answered in affirmative to statements about their children rejection by others due to their mental health difficulties. Children with emotional/ behavioral difficulties had statistically significant scores on secrecy and personal rejection subscales (P value<.05).

Conclusions: Significant self-stigmatization amongst the children diagnosed with mental health illnesses in Lahore, Pakistan emphasize negative societal attitudes, which need to be addressed effectively in a timely manner.