Concepts of Marginalisation and Discrimination

Question 1

What is social exclusion?

Answer 1

A state or series of events leading to and perpetuating a person or people being unable to fully participate in social, economic, political or cultural life

Question 2

What is marginalisation?

Answer 2

An individual’s feeling of not beloning, being unvalued, and being unable to make meaningful contribution to society

Question 3

What is discrimination?

Answer 3

The behaviour influenced by stigmatised prejudice resulting in the unfair treatment of people.
It is measured by the feeling of the individual and feeds into marginalisation and social exclusion

Question 4

What is minority stress?

Answer 4

The additional stress experienced by stigmatised minority groups due to their socioeconomic status, gender, sexuality, race/ethnicity

Question 5

What is intersectionality?

Answer 5

The concept that the different aspects of a person’s identity can expose them to overlapping forms of discrimination and marginalisation

Question 6

What is citizenship?

Answer 6

The fundamental right to be a fully participating member of the community with the same access to rights and responsibilities that the majority of others in society enjoy

Question 7

What is agency?

Answer 7

The capacity of individuals to engage in independent decision making

Question 8

What can nurses do to support social inclusion?

Answer 8

1. Be curious about the structural and policy drivers that drive social exclusion
2. Develop skills in building and maintaining rapport and therapeutic relationships
3. Get to know what service users regard as meaningful in their lives
4. Support people with mental distress to be socially included
5. Consider their own agency and how to build agency with others
6. Look after their own wellbeing as a priority