Perceived Stigma Toward Individuals with Mental Illness: A Study from Menoufia University

A significant body of research indicates that stigma and discrimination linked to mental illness profoundly impact patients and their families, often resulting in social withdrawal, increased hesitancy to access help services, mental health underuse, and escalating caregiver psychological distress. A recent study published in Middle East Current Psychiatry aimed to assess stigma attitudes in family members of patients with psychiatric disorders and their consequences for patients and family members. The study involved 633 relatives of patients with psychiatric disorders attending clinics in four governorates of the Delta region in Egypt.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found that 64% of participants reported patient-focused stigma, while 37.4% reported family-focused stigma, with an overall prevalence of stigma in 57.7% of participants.
• Higher patient-focused stigma was significantly associated with illiterate relatives, single patients, those with longer illness duration, non-compliant with treatment, or frequent hospitalizations.
• Family-focused stigma was more common among urban residents and was significantly associated with caring for older patients, those living alone, and those diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder or schizophrenia.
• Stigma remains a substantial burden for both individuals with mental illness and their families, particularly in cases of chronic illness and poor treatment adherence.
• Public education and culturally sensitive interventions are needed to address misconceptions, diminish stigmatizing attitudes, and improve service utilization and caregiver support.
• The study highlights the need for increased awareness and education about mental illness and its impact on families and caregivers.

Statistics:

• 64% of participants reported patient-focused stigma.
• 37.4% of participants reported family-focused stigma.
• 57.7% of participants reported overall stigma.
• 633 relatives of patients with psychiatric disorders participated in the study.
• 64% of participants had illiterate relatives.
• 45.6% of participants said they lived in urban areas.
• 30% of participants cared for older patients.
• 24.5% of participants lived alone.

Sources:

• "Perceived stigma toward individuals with mental illness and their families: perspectives of patients' relatives in a multicentric Egyptian study." Middle East Current Psychiatry, 2025, 32(1):1-11.
• NewsRx. Menoufia University Researchers Describe Advances in Mental Health Diseases and Conditions (Perceived stigma toward individuals with mental illness and their families: perspectives of patients' relatives in a multicentric Egyptian study). Mental Health Weekly Digest. October 13, 2025; p 418.