Table 1 Question guide used in the focus group sessions

TOPIC 1: STIGMATISATION EXPERIENCES

Opening question:

What has changed for you after you first developed schizophrenia? Tell me concrete incidences and stories that you experienced!

Further questions (alternative):

Were there situations in which you felt excluded or misunderstood? [if nec., probe: when? where? can you describe? other situations than already described?]

Did you tell other people that you had schizophrenia? [if nec., probe: whom? when? why? why not?]

How did people around you react when they found out you had schizophrenia? [if nec., probe: withdrawal, interest, gossip, support?]

TOPIC 2: CAUSES OF STIGMA

Questions (alternative):

Why, do you think, do people react in this way?

Why do people think in this way about people with schizophrenia?

In your opinion, where do these stereotypes/views come from? [if nec., probe: media, history, everyday language, lack of information?]

TOPIC 3: SUGGESTIONS FOR ANTI-STIGMA INTERVENTIONS

Questions (alternative):

What should be done about negative stereotypes/discrimination because of schizophrenia?

How would you like people to react to the fact that you have schizophrenia?

How, do you think, could these situations (described earlier) be avoided/improved?

What kind of information would be important?

Who/which groups in particular should be addressed?