JCNRJournal of Clinical and Nursing Research2208-36852208-3693Bio-Byword Scientific Publishing Pty. Ltd.10.26689/jcnr.v9i7.11422ArticleThe Associated Stigma of Family Members of Depression Patients: A Qualitative Studyhttps://artdesignp.com/journal/JCNR/9/7/10.26689/jcnr.v9i7.11422FanYujing,ShenYuedi,LinMiaomiao2025972025-08-04Objective: To understand the intertwined stigma experiences of the families of depression patients, providing a basis for implementing targeted interventions for depression patients and their families. To provide a basis for targeted interventions for patients with depression and their families. Methods: Based on the principle of data saturation, the family members of depressed patients in the mental health department and psychological outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in Hangzhou from March to May 2025 were selected by the purpose sampling method, and the semi-structured interview method was used to conduct in-depth interviews with the research subjects, and the Colaizzi 7-step analysis method was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 4 themes, and 8 sub-themes were extracted, namely cognitive responses (cognitive biases), emotional responses (internalized stigma and self-blame, feelings of shame, worries and concerns), behavioral responses (concealing the illness, social avoidance), and the potential impact of associated illness stigma (impact on the profession of relatives, emergence of internal family conflicts). Conclusion: Healthcare workers should gain an in-depth understanding of the associated stigma faced by the families of patients with depression and provide targeted psychological support. At the same time, there should be a call for society to pay positive and appropriate attention to patients with depression and their families, improving the families’ understanding of the illness so that they can cope with the associated stigma in a positive manner.

Chinese Medical Association, Journal of Chinese Medical Association, General Practice Branch of Chinese Medical Association, et al., 2021, Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Depression in Primary Care (Practical Edition · 2021). Journal of Chinese General Practitioners, 2(12): 1261–1268.

Herrman H, Patel V, Kieling C, et al., 2022, Time for United Action on Depression: A Lancet-World Psychiatric Association Commission. Lancet, 399(10328): 957–1022.

WHO, 2017, Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. World Health Organization, Geneva.

Health Times Website, 2023, National Depression Blue Book’ Released, Emphasizing the Importance of Students’ Mental Health. http://www.jksb.com.cn/html/life/psychology/2022/0704/177205.html.

Chang CC, Yen CF, Jang FL, et al., 2017, Comparing Affiliate Stigma Between Family Caregivers of People With Different Severe Mental Illness in Taiwan. J Nerv Ment Dis, 205(7): 542–549.

Gu JN, Li Z, 2019, Research Progress on the Internal Stigma of Family Members of Patients With Mental Illness. Nursing Research, 33(18): 3188–3191.

Fernando SM, Deane FP, McLeod HJ, et al., 2017, A Carer Burden and Stigma in Schizophrenia and Affective Disorders: Experiences from Sri Lanka. Asian J Psychiatr, 26: 77–81.

Chen Q, Cao JL, Wang DD, et al., 2023, The Relationship Between Stigma and Quality of Life in Patients With Depression and Their Caregivers: A Mutual Dependence Model of Subject and Object. Chinese Journal of Mental Health, 37(07): 551–557.

World Health Organization, 2021, ICD-11 Classification of Mental and Behavioral Disorders: Clinical Description and Diagnosis Points. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 28–29.

Hemmink M, Harthe I, Bailey A, 2015, Qualitative Research Methods. Hangzhou: Zhejiang University Press, 218–239.

Li Y, Sun HM, Zhang XX, et al., 2020, Qualitative Study on the Stigma of Early Alzheimer’s Disease Patients and Their Primary Caregivers. Nursing Research, 34(20): 3719–3722.

Jia LJ, 2020, A Qualitative Study on the Stigma of Autism Families Based on Grounded Theory, thesis, Wannan Medical College. DOI: 10.27374/d.cnki.gwnyy.2021.000055.

Liu M, 2019, The Application of Colaizzi’s Seven Steps in Data Analysis of Phenomenological Research. Journal of Nursing, 34(11): 90–92.

Gu J, Strauss C, Bond R, Cavanagh K, 2015, How Do Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Improve Mental Health and Wellbeing? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Mediation Studies. Clin Psychol Rev, 37: 1–12. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2015.01.006.

Xiao Y, Xiao Y, Li L, 2023, The Impact of Balingt Group Intervention on the Negative Emotions of Mothers of Adolescents With Depression. Chinese Journal of Health Psychology, 31(8): 1130–1135.

Liu SY, 2022, Research on the Influencing Factors of Caregiving Burden and Psychological Intervention for Family Members of Depression Patients, thesis, Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. DOI: 10.27127/d.cnki.ghlzu.2022.000040.

Abojabel H, Werner P, 2019, Exploring Family Stigma Among Caregivers of Persons With Alzheimer’s Disease: The Experiences of Israeli-Arab Caregivers. Dementia (London), 18(1): 391–408.

Duan D, Wang H, Tong L, et al., 2024, Online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Improves Anxiety and Depression Status and Quality of Life in Caregivers of Patients With Severe Mental Disorders. Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban, 53(1): 108–115. doi: 10.3724/zdxbyxb-2023-0555.

Wang LH, Ren HY, Zhang YC, 2020, Practice of Smart Service Construction Based on the Optimization of Hospital Patient Visit Processes. Chinese Journal of Health Information Management, 17(03): 259–264 +284.

Sin NL, Lyubomirsky S, 2009, Enhancing Well-being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-analysis. J Clin Psychol, 65(5): 467–487. doi: 10.1002/jclp.20593.

Amp KK, Chen T, 2021, Disability Beliefs and Help-Seeking Behavior of Depressed Chinese-American Patients in a Primary Care Setting. Journal of Social Work in Disability & Rehabilitation, 11(2): 81–99.

Wang XR, Jiang YY, Sun Y, et al., 2024, A Qualitative Study on the Psychological Experiences of Families of Adolescents With Depression During Medical Consultations. Contemporary Nurse (Mid-month