Demographic Differences among Internalizing Stigmatization, Marital Satisfaction, and Spousal Support Received by Depressive Patients

Abstract

Background: There are surprising benefits to being married. Married people have lower stress and are less likely to be depressed. However, depression is not an exemption for married people. In Pakistani society, people undergoing depression are stigmatized as mentally ill. The ideal marriage is supposed to have a good understanding and friendly relationship. Objective: So, the effect of spousal support received by diagnosed depression patients and the level of marital satisfaction attained by a socially stigmatized spouse is the subject of this study. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Purposive sampling was used to collect data from 240 individuals. After obtaining informed consent,  responses were taken on internalized stigma of mental illness scale, couple satisfaction index, and spousal support scale, respectively. Descriptive and t-test analysis were used to analyze the data through SPSS. Results: The results revealed significant gender differences on the scale of internalizing stigma of mental illness. Depressed husbands showed lower marital satisfaction despite getting more support from their spouses.In contrast, depressed women seem to be satisfied as compared to men. Although demographic variables like love marriage, arrange marriage, the family system had a more significant impact on marital satisfaction and spousal support. Conclusion: This study finding provides information for the therapist can work in areas of depressed married individuals that Internalized stigma affects the quality of life, self-esteem, and sense of well-being that is indispensable to marital satisfaction.