Social distance from the stigmatized

Perceived stigma in functional somatic syndromes and comparable medical conditions

“…Furthermore, the behavioural effects of fatigue such as reduced physical and social activity, and the facial appearance of fatigue may cause others to believe the individual is depressed. This may explain higher levels of perceived stigma given the literature indicating increased stigma associated with mental illness (Crisp, 2000;Albrecht et al, 1982). Although individuals with adiagnosis of MS have a clear medical cause for their illness, they often go through a prolonged undiagnosed period early in the evolution of their illness during which they may experience similar frustrations as those with unexplained medical conditions (Duval, 1984).…”

“…Few studies have used objective measures to demonstrate negative views towards individuals with CFS. However, numerous authors describe the negative attitudes towards various medically unexplained syndromes (Beaulieu, 1997;Kirmayer, 1999;Hall & Morrow, 1988;Bammer, & Martin, 1992;Lennon et al, 1989), and account for these primarily by the attributions of symptoms to psychiatrie and psychological illness which have been shown to be highly stigmatized (Crisp et al, 2000;Markowitz 1998;Albrecht et al, 1982); Even in the absence of objective evidence of stigma, there is sorne evidence that the perception of stigma can lead to significant emotional distress (Scambler, 1984;Scambler & Hopkins, 1990). Subjective reports of stigma may have been influenced by the mood states and attitudes of respondents.…”

Perceived stigma in functional somatic syndromes and comparable medical conditions

“…A survey of professionals and managers regarding the social distance that they would consider acceptable with individuals described with a wide variety of diagnoses found four factors grouping stigmatized conditions (Albrecht et al, 1982). The least stigmatized included diagnoses that were medically serious but not visible, such as asthma and arthritis.…”

Perceptions of stigma: the parents of autistic children

“…Among the various disorders that have been considered in terms of their stigmatising effects are epilepsy (Schneider and Conrad 1980;Scambler and Hopkins 1986;West 1986), deafness (Becker 1981), mental retardation (Birenbaum 1970), rheumatoid arthritis (Bury 1982), alcoholism (Albrecht, Walker and Levy 1982), diabetes (Hopper 1981), cancer (MacDonaid 1988), Machado-Joseph disease (Boutte 1987) and mental illness (Goffman 1961). Most of this research has focused on the potentially stigmatising effects of these disorders and the ways in which the afBicted individuals perceive and manage the negative reactions of outsiders to their disorders.…”