Philippine E-Journals

Self-Stigma and Quality of Life among Adult Individuals with Tourette Syndrome: A Basis for Psychological Intervention Program

Rosario S Abendan

 

Abstract:

This study aimed to determine the relationship of self-stigma and quality of life among adult individuals with Tourette syndrome (TS). Mixed method sequential explanatory design was utilized to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data. A total of 32 adult individuals aged 18 years old and above and formally diagnosed with TS participated in the quantitative part of the study and accomplished the demographic profle form, Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS) and World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) short version. Te qualitative portion of the study included 12 respondents who qualifed and took part in the quantitative portion to answer the online interview questions. Statistical treatment used for quantitative data were mean computation an d Pearson correlation while thematic analysis was utilized for qualitative data. Results of the quantitative data suggest that age, marital status, and educational attainment are linked to self-stigma and quality of life scores of the respondents. Another fnding in the quantitative portion shows that self-stigma and quality of life are negatively correlated. Qualitative results revealed the experiences of the respondents that overlap with the constructs of self-stigma (alienation, discrimination experience, and social withdrawal) and quality of life domains (physical, psychological, social and environment). Te integrated results identifed areas of difculties of the respondents suggesting the need for psychological intervention. It is therefore recommended the use of Rational Emotive Behavioral Terapy (REBT) that aims to emphasize the importance of cognitive control over emotional states to address self-stigma and improve the quality of life of adult individuals with TS.