Stigma

Question 1

Social Identity

Answer 1

• collection of categories and attributes that identify one in society
• constructed and reconstructed through social interaction
• individuals develop identity and exploit the social structure to construct these

Question 2

Self concept

Answer 2

the I
- reflector, observer, personal opinions

the me
- accumulated understanding of the “generalized other”, norms, patterns of social response

Question 3

Stigma

Answer 3

• something bad about a person
• an attribute that is deeply discrediting
• “undesired differentness”
• just as disabling as the disease itself

Discredited: differentness is evident
Discreditable: differentness is not immediately perceivable

Question 4

Types of Stigma

Answer 4

a. physical “deformities”
b. character “blemishes” - inferred from known record
c. Tribal stigma, of a race, nation or religion
can be “inherited”

Question 5

Being Different

Answer 5

“spoiled identity”

stigma is not caused by the disability but by the different between what is socially desirable and what in fact is

Question 6

Courtesy Stigma

Answer 6

when stigma is extended to people who are closed to the stigmatized

may result in associating with stigmatized group
OR
provide a link to the “normal” world

those with courtesy stigma may not be readily accepted by stigmatized and they may not be able to access protection afforded by stigmatized

Question 7

Stigma or Difference

Answer 7

normalized culture of prejudice and discrimination which historically has denied moral status to the mentally ill

social therapy - cultural revolution for social justice

Question 8

Double-edged Sword in Mental Illness

Answer 8

cycle of disadvantage

symptoms and skill deficits from MI interfere with ability to achieve
societal reaction to MI result in stigma and discrimination which unjustly impedes the person preventing them to achieve

Question 9

Self Stigma

Answer 9

perceived devaluation and discrimination can lead to diminished self esteem and self efficacy
process of internalizing public stigmas

Question 10

Stage Model of Stigma

Answer 10

1. Awareness
   acknowledge that negative stereotypes about MI exist
2. Agreement
   may agree the above are true
3. Application
   apply these negative stereotypes to oneself

Result: decrease self-esteem and self-efficacy

Question 11

Managing Stigma

Answer 11

a. social avoidance - associate with only those who have same condition
b. selective disclosure - share with only certain people

increases peer support but perpetuates shame

c. indiscriminate disclosure - no active effort to conceal, disregard negative consequences
d. broadcasting one’s experience - educating others about MI, seek our others to share experience

fosters sense of power over experience of MI and stigma

e. group approach - peer support

reduce stigma and increase social support

Question 12

Coping Strategies

Answer 12

a. Secrecy coping
use concealment as a means to avoid rejection
b. Withdrawal coping
withdrawal as self-protection from potential rejection, limit association to people who share same stigmatized status
c. Educating coping
educate others to reduce possibility of rejection
d. Challenging coping
challenging others by pointing out stigmatizing behaviour
e. Distancing coping
cognitively distancing self from stigmatized group, indicating that they are different and there is little in common

Question 13

Engulfment

Answer 13

the degree to which individuals define themselves by their illness
can become increasingly demoralized and lead progressively more restricted lives

LEADS TO:
hopelessness
depression
low self-esteem
lack of self-efficacy
decreased social adjustment

Question 14

Strategies to avoid engulfment

Answer 14

• distancing self from illness experience
• take meds to help
• monitor thoughts to ensure clear thinking
• encourage hope and build confidence
• knowing one’s strength and potential
• normalize illness
• deal with stigma, fighting negative responses, exercise discretion in self-disclosure

Question 15

Internalized Stigma

Answer 15

a. engulfed - internalizes idea that ppl with MI are damaged, may lead to greater adherence
b. resistant - dissociating from other ppl with MI so as to not damage self-esteem, may prolong disability
c. detached - choice to prioritize social identities not associated with MI, may lead one away from helpful resources
d. empowered - associated with low internalized stigma and identification with community of MI, highly committed but may not engage in other identities

Question 16

Effects of Stigma

Answer 16

• encounter fear and rejection
• loss of self-esteem
• may not seek help
• public fear, ignorance and intolerance
• discrimination
• human rights violations (forced detainment, medication, restraint, limited access to treatment)