Sources of stigma for means-tested government programs

Stuber, Jennifer; Schlesinger, Mark

doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.01.012

Cited by 203 publications

(128 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…For example, Link describes a process among individuals who become labeled as mental patients and notes that societal negative attitudes that "once seemed to be an innocuous array of beliefs… now become applicable personally and [are] no longer innocuous " (1987: 97). Stuber and Schlesinger (2006) write about one form of welfare stigma as the internalization of negative stereotypes associated with users of means-tested programs by welfare participants. This form of stress is also distinct from interpersonal discrimination.…”

Section: Bridging Stigma and Prejudice Research Traditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stigma, prejudice, discrimination and health

Stuber

Meyer²,

Link³

2008

Social Science & Medicine

Self Cite

294

236

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Section: Bridging Stigma and Prejudice Research Traditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stigma, prejudice, discrimination and health

Stuber

Meyer²,

Link³

2008

Social Science & Medicine

Self Cite

294

236

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…In terms of why claiming benefits might be stigmatised, the predominant view (Stuber and Schlesinger, 2006;Spicker, 1984;Pinker, 1971) is that stigma is rooted in norms of reciprocity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The stigma of claiming benefits: a quantitative study

2015

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Stigma has long been viewed by some as essential to discourage excessive claims, yet seen by others as a cause of non-take-up by people in need and as a form of symbolic violence. More recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in the links between shame and poverty (including the role of benefits), and particular concerns about media/political rhetoric in the UK. Yet while our knowledge of benefits stigma has been enhanced by theoretical/qualitative contributions, few quantitative studies examine its extent or patterning. This paper therefore reports the results of a 2012 nationally-representative survey in the UK. It finds sub-types of stigma are reported by 10-19% per benefit, but 34% report either personal stigma (their own view) or stigmatisation (perceived stigma by others) for at least one benefit, and over one-quarter say a stigma-related reason would make them less likely to claim. One-third of claimants themselves report some degree of stigma around their claim. Against the predictions of 'dependency culture' claims, however, respondents in high-claim areas were more likely to stigmatise benefits, both before and after accounting for other factors. The paper concludes by considering lessons for future benefits stigma studies, and policy options to reduce benefits stigma.

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“…Research from sociology and psychology suggests that the psychological costs associated with participation, or stigma, can be decomposed into self-inflicted and peer-inflicted costs, or identity and treatment stigma (Yaniv, 1997;Stuber and Schlesinger, 2006). Treatment stigma is the negative treatment by friends, family, or program administrators, while identity stigma is negative self-characterization by the participant or potential participant.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hence, in the context of asymmetric information (i.e. the government only observes income, not ability), welfare stigma may act as a screening, or self-targeting, mechanism and enable the government to achieve its policy goals (Currie and Gahvari 2008;Stuber and Schlesinger 2006).…”

Section: Stigma As a Screening Mechanismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1 Studies in the sociology and public health literatures show that participants in welfare programs report lower self-image as well as negative treatment by neighbors, peers, and program administrators. These psychological costs may be lowered by making participation less visible because research has found that negative stereotypes are often transmitted through "stigma symbols," such as food stamp coupons and Medicaid cards (Rosier and Corasaro 1993;Barr 2000;and Stuber and Schlesinger 2006). Alternatively, a policy initiative that promoted these programs as entitlements rather than welfare would decrease psychological costs while preserving the in-kind nature of transfer programs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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