Stigmatization experiences of Turkish parents of patients hospitalized in child and adolescent psychiatric clinics

Purpose This study determined the stigmatization experiences of parents with a child who received inpatient treatment at the psychiatry clinic in Turkey. Method A qualitative descriptive approach was used. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted. The study sample consisted of 15 parents. The data were evaluated using the thematic analysis method. Findings According to the data analysis, six themes and eight subthemes were created. These themes were exclusion, labeled, hiding the child's disorder, positive discrimination, coping strategies, and despair. Conclusion This study determined that all participant parents were exposed to stigmatization in many areas and tried to hide their child's diagnosis. Practical Implications Mental health and psychiatric nurses should support the patient's parents to share and express both theirs and their child's stigmatization experiences.