Mental Illness Stigma and Disclosure: Consequences of Coming out of the Closet

Bos, Arjan E. R.; Kanner, Daphne; Muris, Peter; Janssen, Birgit; Mayer, Birgit

doi:10.1080/01612840802601382

Cited by 130 publications

(133 citation statements)

References 17 publications

(22 reference statements)

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“…Anti-stigma programs that include education (countering the myths of mental illness with facts) and cognitive restructuring (challenging internalized stigma using cognitive behavior therapy approaches) have been developed to decrease internalized prejudice and self-stigma, though outcome research on their impact is unclear (Mittal et al, 2012;Yanos et al, 2014). Alternatively, research suggests people with disorders that are not relatively manifest to the public, such as mental illness and HIV-AIDS, who disclose their experiences report reduced self-stigma (Smith et al, 2008;Bos et al, 2009). Studies show people who are out with their mental illness experience less self-stigma and great quality of life .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Diminishing the self-stigma of mental illness by coming out proud

Corrigan

Larson

Michaels

et al. 2015

Psychiatry Research

113

100

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Diminishing the self-stigma of mental illness by coming out proud

Corrigan

Larson

Michaels

et al. 2015

Psychiatry Research

113

100

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…On the other, disclosure can be beneficial. It has been found to promote treatment adherence (Chesney & Smith, 1999), safe sex (Melchert & Patterson, 1999;Serovich & Mosack, 2003), social support provision (Bos, Kanner, Muris, Janssen, & Mayer, 2009;Smith, Rossetto, & Peterson, 2008), closeness in relationships (Herek & Capitanio, 1996;Parsons, VanOra, Missildine, Purcell, & Gomez, 2004), and psychological well-being (Derlega, Winstead, Oldfield, & Barbee, 2003;Smart & Wegner, 1999). Clearly, both advantages and disadvantages of disclosure have been established.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

HIV status disclosure among HIV-positive African and Afro-Caribbean people in the Netherlands

et al. 2011

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HIV status disclosure is often characterized as a dilemma. On the one hand, disclosure can promote health, social support, and psychological well-being. On the other, disclosure can lead to stigmatization, rejection, and other negative social interactions. Previous research has shown that HIV status disclosure is a reasoned process whereby the costs and benefits to oneself and to others are weighed. As such, understanding disclosure requires understanding the reasons for and against disclosure employed by people living with HIV (PLWH). In this study, disclosure among a population disproportionately affected by HIV in the Netherlands, namely African and Afro-Caribbean diaspora, was investigated. Reasons for nondisclosure were fear of stigmatization, previous negative experiences with disclosure, having observed the stigmatization of other PLWH, shame, the desire to protect others - particularly one's children and family - from stigmatization by association and/or worrying, and the belief that one's HIV status is a private matter. Participants reported disclosing because they were in a close and supportive relationship, disclosure led to emotional release, disclosure could lead to emotional or financial support, they felt a perceived duty to inform, and they had a desire to educate others about sexual risk-taking. The findings suggest that stigma plays an important role in disclosure decisions among these populations. They further point to a need for HIV-related stigma reduction interventions in African and Afro-Caribbean communities and culturally sensitive counseling for PLWH whereby caregivers do not automatically assume that disclosure is best but rather provide a safe environment in which the costs and benefits of disclosure can be weighed and strategies for disclosure can be developed, if perceived as beneficial by PLWH.

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“…We also recommend, given our finding that the type of family relationship influences the association between SBA and perceived closeness, that social support provision within immediate families of PWMI be promoted. In fact, we recommend openness about family members' mental illness within the family and selective disclosure to others because this likely stimulates social support provision and lessens stigmatizing responses (Bos, Kanner, Muris, Jansen, & Mayer, 2009). …”

Section: Study Strengths and Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%