Mental Illness as a Stigmatized Identity

Abstract

In this study, we examine the relationships among reflected appraisals, self-views, and well-being for individuals diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness. We also test a perceptual control model of identity to determine whether discrepancies between stigmatized reflected appraisals and stigmatized self-views are associated with self-evaluation (self-esteem and self-efficacy) and psychological distress (depressive symptoms). We find that stigmatized self-views are significantly associated with lower self-esteem and self-efficacy and higher levels of depressive symptoms. Stigmatized reflected appraisals are also associated with lower self-efficacy and higher depressive symptoms but are not associated with self-esteem. As predicted, discrepancies between reflected appraisals and self-views are associated with lower levels of self-efficacy and higher levels of depressive symptoms; however, we do not find a relationship between identity discrepancy and self-esteem. We discuss the implications of our findings for identity and stigma research.

Effects of Perceived Public Regard on the Well-Being of Military Veterans

“…Our results are consistent with other studies that show how reflected appraisals processes play a role in behavioral and well-being outcomes (Marcussen et al 2019; Markowitz et al 2011; Matsueda 1992). It is important to note, however, that there are other variables that need to be examined to provide a more specific test of reflected appraisals processes among veterans.…”

“…Symbolic interactionist-based theories of identity formation and stigma provide a useful framework that can be extended to understand how public beliefs may affect the well-being of military veterans. According to symbolic interactionist theory, public beliefs about social objects are what Mead (1934) referred to as the “attitudes of the generalized other.” Internalized general (and specific others’) appraisals affect our self-concepts, in turn affecting behavioral and well-being outcomes (Cooley 1902; DeCoster and Heimer 2001; Felson 1985; Lundgren 2004; Marcussen, Gallagher, and Ritter 2019; Markowitz, Angell, and Greenberg 2011; Matsueda 1992). Appraisals processes can apply to our overall evaluation of self or to the evaluation of specific role-identities that we occupy (Brown and Marshall 2006; McCall and Simmons 1966; Stryker 1980).…”

How do education and experience with mental illness interact with causal beliefs, eligible treatments and stigmatising attitudes towards schizophrenia? A comparison between mental health professionals, psychology students, relatives and patients

“…Studies on people's perception of schizophrenia, direct experience of manifestations and stigmatisation of such an illness, are frequently found in past and recent literature [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. Stigmatising thinking concerning schizophrenia, such as prejudice, feeling in danger, public avoidance and various forms of discrimination, are still very frequent and represent a significant social problem [12][13][14][15]. A large part of society thinks that persons with schizophrenia are likely to be violent [5,16], dangerous [17] and capable of hurting themselves or others [18].…”

Stigma Resistance and Well-Being in the Context of the Mental Illness Identity

“…Discrepancies between stigmatized self-views and reflected appraisals have also been shown to be negatively associated with self-evaluation and positively associated with depressive symptoms. Marcussen et al (2019) found that identity processes for stigmatized identities and normative identities are similar, particularly when reflected appraisals and self-views are considered in tandem. The question remains: Can this process be interrupted by efforts to resist stigma?…”