Tegan Cruwys1, Sathiavaani Gunaseelan2. 1. University of Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: t.cruwys@uq.edu.au. 2. University of Queensland, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous research has found that in the face of discrimination, people tend to identify more strongly with stigmatized groups. Social identification can, in turn, buffer wellbeing against the negative consequences of discrimination. However, this rejection identification model has never been tested in the context of mental illness identity. METHODS: A survey was conducted with 250 people with diagnosed depression or current symptoms of at least moderate clinical severity. RESULTS: Experiencing mental illness stigma was associated with poorer wellbeing. Furthermore, people who had experienced such stigma were more likely to identify as a depressed person. Social identification as depressed magnified, rather than buffered, the relationship between stigma and reduced wellbeing. This relationship was moderated by perceived social norms of the depressed group for engaging in depressive thoughts and behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that mental illness stigma is a double-edged sword: as well as the direct harms for wellbeing, by increasing identification with other mental illness sufferers, stigma might expose sufferers to harmful social influence processes. Crown
BACKGROUND: Previous research has found that in the face of discrimination, people tend to identify more strongly with stigmatized groups. Social identification can, in turn, buffer wellbeing against the negative consequences of discrimination. However, this rejection identification model has never been tested in the context of mental illness identity. METHODS: A survey was conducted with 250 people with diagnosed depression or current symptoms of at least moderate clinical severity. RESULTS: Experiencing mental illness stigma was associated with poorer wellbeing. Furthermore, people who had experienced such stigma were more likely to identify as a depressed person. Social identification as depressed magnified, rather than buffered, the relationship between stigma and reduced wellbeing. This relationship was moderated by perceived social norms of the depressed group for engaging in depressive thoughts and behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that mental illness stigma is a double-edged sword: as well as the direct harms for wellbeing, by increasing identification with other mental illness sufferers, stigma might expose sufferers to harmful social influence processes. Crown
Authors: Markus Besemann; Jacqueline Hebert; James M. Thompson; Rory A. Cooper; Gaurav Gupta; Suzette Brémault-Phillips; Sarah J. Dentry Journal: Can J Surg Date: 2018-12-01 Impact factor: 2.089
Authors: Hugh Webb; Benjamin M Jones; Kathleen McNeill; Li Lim; Andrew J Frain; Kerry J O'Brien; Daniel P Skorich; Peta Hoffmann; Tegan Cruwys Journal: Addict Behav Rep Date: 2017-02-14