Embarrassment when illness strikes a close relative: a World Mental Health Survey Consortium Multi-Site Study

Results. There was a statistically robust association such that subgroups with an ADMC-affected relative were more likely to feel embarrassed compared to subgroups with a relative affected by a GMC (p<0.001), even with covariate adjustments for age and sex. Conclusions. The pattern of evidence from this research is consistent with conceptual models for interventions that target individual- and family-level stigma-related feelings of embarrassment as possible obstacles to effective early intervention and treatment for an ADMC. Macro-level interventions are under way but micro-level interventions may also be required among family members, along with care for each person with an ADMC. Received 20 March 2012 ; Revised 26 October 2012 ; Accepted 28 November 2012 ; First published online 9 January 2013