Stigma resistance and well-being in the context of the mental illness identity.

Stigma resistance and well-being in the context of the mental illness identity.

Marcussen K; Gallagher M; Ritter C

Journal of Health and Social Behavior

2021

2021-01-04

We use a perceptual control model of identity to examine the relationship between stigmatized appraisals (from self and other) and well-being among individuals with serious mental illness. We also examine the role of stigma resistance strategies in the identity process. Using in-depth interviews with active clients of a community mental health center (N = 156), we find that deflection, or distancing oneself from mental illness, is associated with greater self-esteem and fewer depressive symptoms. Challenging others through education is associated with higher self-esteem, and challenging stigma through activism is associated with fewer depressive symptoms. Activism also moderates the relationship between identity discrepancy (the difference between appraisals from self and other) and well-being; however, the extent to which activism is helpful or harmful depends on whether appraisals from others are more or less stigmatizing than self-views. We discuss the implications of these findings for identity and stigma research.

identity; mental illness; stigma; stigma resistance strategies; well-being

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journalArticle

22146520976624

2150-6000 0022-1465

NEOMED College of Medicine

Department of Psychiatry

January 2021 List