Affiliate Stigma and Psychosocial Adaption Among Adolescents Who Have a Parent With Serious Mental Illness

Mediation Role of Family Cohesion

Cai, Chunfeng MS, RN
Zhang, Xi RN
Sheng, Qingqing
Ding, Lina RN

Ms. Cai is Associate Professor of Nursing, Ms. Zhang is Graduate Student, Ms. Sheng is Graduate Student, and Ms. Ding is Graduate Student, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.

The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise. The study was funded by the Hubei (China) Province Health and Family Planning Scientific Research Project (WJ2017M0006).

Address correspondence to Chunfeng Cai, MS, RN, Associate Professor of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China; e-mail: [email protected].

Received June 03, 2019

Accepted July 29, 2019

Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services 57(12):p 39-47, December 01, 2019. | DOI: 10.3928/02793695-20190920-02

The current cross-sectional study examined the relationship between affiliate stigma and externalizing and internalizing problems by investigating the role of family cohesion among adolescents having a parent with serious mental illness (SMI). One hundred sixty-four adolescents were recruited from two community mental health centers. Family cohesion, affiliate stigma, and adolescent internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed. A significant relationship was found between adolescent externalizing and internalizing problems and family cohesion (r = −0.462, p < 0.01 and r = −0.534, p < 0.001, respectively) and affiliate stigma (r = 0.512, p < 0.01 and r = 0.656, p < 0.001, respectively). Family cohesion partially mediated the relation between affiliate stigma and externalizing problems (Z = −4.97, p < 0.001) and fully mediated the relation between affiliate stigma and internalizing problems (Z = −5.18, p < 0.001). The current study highlights the need for effective interventions aimed at families to support parents with SMI in their parenting role and enhance family cohesion. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 57(12), 39–47.]