Abstract

Background: Depressive disorder is quite prevalent in Nigerian family practice settings and has been associated with disability in almost all domains of life. Determinants of positive outcomes vary including the roles of family dynamics and internalized stigma. This study assessed the pattern of family functioning and its relationship with internalized stigma among outpatients with depressive disorder at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta.

Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted among 272 outpatients being managed for depressive disorder at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta. Consenting patients who met the study criteria had their diagnosis confirmed with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and subsequently interviewed. The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale and APGAR family functioning scale were also administered. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Package Social Sciences and level of statistical significance was set at p< 0.05.

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 45.54 (± 11.15) years. Most (96.7%) had mild-moderate forms of depressive disorder and a minority (26.1%) had poor to moderately functional families. The prevalence of high internalized stigma was low (8%) but significantly associated with family functioning (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Most patients with depressive disorder attending the clinic have a mild-to-moderate form of the illness and not experiencing dysfunction at the home front. High Internalized stigma among the study respondents was low; with family dysfunction, short illness duration and severe form of depression being possible risk factors.

Key words: Keywords: ‘Depressive disorder’, ‘Family functioning’, ‘Internalized stigma’, ‘Outpatient clinic’