10. CHRONIC ILLNESS EXPERIENCE, LABELLING AND STIGMA TUTORIAL

Question 1

1. Has Christina’s son been labelled?
   How?

Answer 1

• yes he has
• he has been given a medical/diagnostic label
  (Down Syndrome)
• he has been given a social label
  (Retarded)

Question 2

2. What types of stigma can you identify in this case?

Answer 2

• Felt Stigma
  (he feels shame)
• Courtesy Stigma
  (his mother feels guilty)
• Enacted Stigma
  (the people around him choose to avoid him)
• Discredited Stigma
  (people know of the condition and that is why they
  stigmatise)
• Discreditable Stigma
  (the mother takes action to make sure other people do not
  find out about her son’s condition)
• Secondary Deviance
  (the condition is diagnosed and labelling has been
  involved)

Question 3

3. Can you identify any sociological principles from the previous weeks?

Answer 3

• Uncertainty
  (why me, what caused this)
• Health as a Function
  (Christina experiences dizziness but can still go on with
  her daily tasks)
• Sanctioning
  (her husband encourages her to seek medical help)
• Health as a Reserve
  (she could initially handle the symptoms)
• Supernatural site
  (she believes that God gave her son autism)
• Disease as a social experience
• Biographical Disruption
  (changes to one’s routine)
• Her identity has been disrupted
  (she doubts her maternal capabilities)
• The Sick Role

Question 4

4. How would you respond to Christina’s illness behaviour?

Answer 4

1. ask her questions
   (explore her reasons)
2. listen to her carefully
3. realise that she does not follow advice because of
   stigma, labelling and chronic stress
4. there must be no stigma, judgement or blame from your side for her not following medical advice
5. provide understanding and empathy
6. provide her with a simplified, easy to understand medical perspective (shared decision making)
7. provide her with information
8. provide support
9. provide incentive for her to look after herself
   (she needs to help her son)
10. guide her towards a support system

Question 5

5. Which two sociological teachings can be applied here?

Answer 5

1. Sociological Imagination
   
   • asking questions
   • exploring topics
   • being open minded
   • exploring/understanding
   • being curious
   • showing genuine interest
2. Cultural Competence
   
   • helps you to understand
   • working effectively with a diverse group of patients