Development of Self-Stigma Inventory for Families of the patients with schizophrenia (SSI-F): validity and reliability study

OBJECTIVE: It is known that relatives of the patients with schizophrenia tend to hide the illness from other people, are ashamed of their patients, and feel excluded from society. This situation is referred as self-stigmatization of families, and it may negatively affect the family functioning and therapeutic alliance. Assessing and evaluating the self-stigma of families are essential concerning family therapies and treatment of their patients. The purpose of this study is to develop a culturally sensitive inventory for the assessment of self-stigmatization for families of patients with schizophrenia in Turkey