The effectiveness of proposed counseling program on reducing level of stigma among families of schizophrenic patients in Gaza Strip

Abstract EN

Aim of this study was to know the effectiveness of proposed counseling program on reducing level of stigma among families of schizophrenic patients in Gaza strip.

Study design : Case Control Study.

Approach of intervention group and control group.

Sample: The sample of the study was (38) participants divided into two groups )71( ,Participants for intervention group and another (21) participants for control group.

Homogeneity between the two groups in demographic variables was statistically achieved.

Stigma Scale prepared by the researcher himself are used to evaluate Stigma level among the participants.

Both groups, intervention and control, completed the Stigma Scale before and after applying the counseling program.

The counseling program consists of (12) sessions, each session (45) minutes.

The program techniques were (De-briefing, relaxation exercise, psychodrama, and religious counseling Results : The results of the study indicated that there were statistically significant differences in stigma level of the intervention group before and after applying the counseling program.

ETA square value was high (D = 7.9) this means that the counseling program has a positive effect on reducing the level of stigma among the intervention group.

The percentage of change was (45.9%) for the intervention group at the level of stigma after applying the program where the efficiency value ranged between - .)%..55 %7.51( Furthermore, after one month there was no statistically significant differences between the scores of post test and the score of sequential test of stigma scale (P.value was //0.27 ), Z.value was (-1.15).

This ensures the continuity of the positive impact of counseling program on reducing level of stigma among the intervention group.

Recommendations: This counseling program could be used to reduce level of stigma among families of schizophrenic patients and building other programs to treat other negative effects related to stigma of mental illness.