Stigma has been described as the most significant obstacle to quality of life for individuals with major psychiatric diagnoses (Sartorious, 1998). Much of the psychological literature on stigma focuses on individual attributes and interactions at the micro level, rather than macro level dynamics. In critiquing this traditional focus, Link and Phelan (2001) present a model in which stigma ensues when labeling, stereotyping, separation, status loss, and discrimination co-occur in a situation of power imbalance. Even as the model fills a gap in conceptualizing stigma, its emphasis on power is unidirectional and fails to account for power as a form of resistance to stigmatization. This study explores the question of how a consumer/survivor activist perspective can inform the Link and Phelan model of stigma. A semi-structured interview methodology was used to gather qualitative data on the perspectives of 10 activists who are both the targets of stigma and active change agents in resisting stigma. The content of the interviews was thematically analyzed based on an iterative coding approach in order to identify the points of overlap with and divergence from the Link and Phelan model. The results of the study support the applicability of the model for psychiatric stigma. The participants' experiences illustrate which aspects of stigmatization take precedence in this context, indicating significant points for intervention. The anti-stigma work discussed by the participants illustrates the power of grassroots resistance, expanding the understanding of power presented in the model. Emergent discursive themes include the importance of similarity, the rejection of negative portrayals of mental illness, and a focus on a shared continuum of human experience. Participants' emphasis on the importance of having their voices silenced was a particularly recurring motif. Several respondents challenge the premises of the Link and Phelan model. These participants emphasize the positive aspects of diagnosis and labeling, while several other participants reject the choice of the term stigma because it may obscure the structural aspects of discrimination. These findings can serve as a guideline for designing future interventions, and focusing on strategies for social change.

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Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / This study is a qualitative description of the everyday lives of adolescent girls with epilepsy. The primary purpose of the research was to determine whether or not elements of stigma were present in narratives about participants’ day-to-day living. The researcher used open-ended and semi-structured interview techniques in a series of interviews with four adolescent girls with epilepsy. Elements of stigma were present in some of the constructed themes; however, the researcher also uncovered other unexpected themes. Themes constructed by the researcher included: 1) I Am Like Everyone Else (Except for my Seizures); 2) There are Worse Things than Epilepsy; 3) My Parents Trust Me; 4) Am I Having a Seizure?; 5) Bullying Because of Seizures; 6) Bullying Because of Something other than Seizures; 7) Coping with Bullying; 8) Academic Difficulties;9) Disclosure Management; 10) Seizures are Scary to Have and to See; and 11)If I have a Seizure, Don’t Attract Attention to Me! The researcher considers topics thought to be important to adolescents with epilepsy about which the participants kept silent. The researcher makes suggestions about how the research can be used to improve health care practice and guide educational policies for adolescent students with epilepsy. Based on the findings, the researcher suggests areas for future research in nursing and educational policy.

Research has indicated that Funeral Directors and Embalmers are stigmatized for their work. Studies have shown that, although the decay of dead bodies is a stigmatized process in American culture, these particular deathcare workers are able to shift the focus of their services from the dead to the living. However, there remains a lack of research regarding deathcare workers who are not employed as Funeral Directors or Embalmers— those whose positions are not as obvious to the general public. This research explores how, why, and to what degree stigma is placed on those individuals who spend the majority of their work time in direct contact with dead bodies, as opposed to grieving family members. Interviews with funeral employees have been utilized to provide insight into this phenomenon. Results of the analysis show that frequency of contact with bodies is only one of three major factors influencing the stigma of deathcare workers. These results are examined and directions for future research are offered.

This narrative inquiry explored the schooling and professional experiences of seven teachers who were labeled with learning disabilities, and how those experiences affected their career decisions, teaching strategies, as well as relationships with their students, families, and friends. Their stories also challenged the associated stigmas and societal beliefs about who can be a teacher. The methodology incorporated semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, field notes, and member checks to explore the teachers’ constructed meanings of their experiences and beliefs. This research was undergirded by Disability Studies in Education (DSE), along with the theory of complex embodiment. The purpose of incorporating these theoretical perspectives was to challenge normalizing dominant narratives and to advance the problematization and redefinition of disability as simply a matter of human variation. The findings highlighted three themes. They included: embracing the “Theory of Complex Embodiment”; residual emotions and feelings of (in)competence; and their decisions to disclose their learning disability labels, masquerade as a subjugated identity, or conceal their labels and pass. The participants also described the teaching strategies they utilized with their students and themselves. Following analysis, recommendations were made for both teachers labeled with learning disabilities and students enrolled in special education programs.

This research explored cultural perceptions of HIV&amp / AIDS with students at the University of the Western Cape and attempted to understand how these perceptions of the disease reinforce stigma and stigmatising attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS. This study investigated HIV/AIDS stigma as a social phenomenon and analysed the socio-cultural and historical roots of HIV/AIDS stigma.

Approved for public release; distribution in unlimited. / This study examines stigma associated with mental health services counseling in the Marine Corps for the purpose of assessing areas of concern where lack of awareness or stigma exists. Marines with longstanding unresolved personal problems or more immediate emotional distress may be less effective, they may also not know where to go for help. Secondly, stigma may be associated with the fear of negative performance evaluations and decreased future promotions, which may reflect an underutilization of the available mental health services. Results of this study reflect: 1)that stigma does exist; 2)that Marines have a poor knowledge of the availability and variety of mental health services; 3)that there is little in the way of destigmatization training within the Marine Corps. By studying civilian models which may have a destigmatization component, this study presents possible methods for incorporating destigmatization training into the OSCAR program. Theoretically, the results of this study, garnered through interviews with practitioners, literature, and an OSCAR program review, can be used to further the efficacy of Marine Corps mental health services by way of education and destigmatization training. / Captain, United States Marine Corps

Although 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness at some point, each year people with mental illnesses continue to face high levels of stigmatization and discrimination at work. Recognizing this, many organizational researchers and practitioners have sought to improve workplaces for employees with mental illness through a variety of organizational interventions. Unfortunately, few interventions are thoroughly evaluated. One barrier to evaluating such interventions is the lack of a theoretically meaningful measure of workplace mental illness stigma. In this dissertation, I proposed to develop and evaluate such a measure (the W-MISS) based on Jones, Farina, Hastorf, Markus, Miller, and Scott's (1984) six-dimension stigma framework (i.e., concealability, course, disruptiveness, aesthetics, origin, and peril). To do so, I used Hinkin's (1998) approach: Phase 1) item generation was completed by 8 subject matter experts; Phase 2) content validity evidence was provided by 47 adults with management experience and 7 subject matter experts; Phase 3) exploratory factor analysis was conducted based on responses from 300 adults with management experience; Phase 4) confirmatory factor analysis was conducted based on responses from 200 adults with management experience; Phase 5) convergent and discriminant validity evidence was provided by 101 adults with management experience; and Phase 6) predictive validity evidence with regard to hiring discrimination was provided by 365 adults with management experience. Overall, the results supported the hypothesized factorial structure, convergent and discriminant validity, and predictive utility of the W-MISS. Findings provide empirical support for Jones et al.'s (1984) theoretical stigma framework in a workplace context for mental illness and represent the first comprehensive measure development drawing on these dimensions for any stigmatized identity in a workplace context. Further, results demonstrate the potential for scholarly and practical utility of such a measure.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / The aim of the study is to determine factors contributing to HIV and AIDS stigma among young adults at Polokwane municipality in the Capricorn district of Limpopo Province, South Africa. A total number of 325 participants were involved in the survey and five focus groups were involved in the qualitative study. The participants’ ages were between 18 and 25 years. Biographical information entailing 14 items was used. Ten questions were used in five focus groups. For the survey, a nine-item stigma questionnaire was used as an independent variable. Dependent variables were the following scales: HIV knowledge, knowing a person with HIV and AIDS, family communication and perceived HIV and AIDS risk. The quantitative analysis shows that knowledge of HIV and AIDS, acquaintance with People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA), gender and socio-economic status, as well as stigmatisation of people living with HIV and AIDS, significantly influence stigmatisation of PLWHA. On the other hand, knowledge of one’s own status, affiliation to religion, family communication, perceived risk and cultural attachment played a limited role in the stigmatisation of people living with HIV and AIDS. In view of the above findings, efforts need to be made to review programmes that are undertaken to create awareness about HIV and AIDS to improve HIV transmission knowledge. Constant interaction among PLWHA should be encouraged since this serves as a buffer to combat stigmatisation of PLWHA. There is a need for further research on gender, to explore in-depth reasons for stigmatisation of PLWHA, especially from females. Research also needs to be done in future to determine the factors that influence people from a high socio-economic level to stigmatise of PLWHA.

Mental health conditions are highly prevalent in the U.S. Approximately two thirds of individuals who have a diagnosable mental health condition do not seek treatment; stigma is a major contributing factor. Stigma can lead to a fear of pursuing one’s goals, loss of self-esteem and a hesitancy to engage in society. This dissertation was a secondary data analysis of 1,437 adults who participated in the 2006 General Social Survey topical modules utilizing vignettes to examine mental health issues. Multiple-group structural equation modeling examined the relationship between respondents’ level of prejudicial attitudes and social distance (i.e., stigma) toward individuals who have a mental health condition and their belief in the potential of recovery. This relationship was examined for mental health conditions in general and across four groups (i.e., alcohol dependence, major depression, schizophrenia and troubled person). The relationship was further explored by testing if previous contact with an individual who has received treatment was a mediator. Findings indicate that the belief in recovery leads to lower levels of social distance. This finding was true for each group. In addition, prejudicial attitudes were found to be a predictor of one’s level of social distance for each group. Parameter invariance was found for all variables except income. In the group of respondents given the vignette depicting a troubled person, those with a lower income were more likely to have lower levels of prejudicial attitudes. In the group of respondents given the vignette depicting an individual with alcohol dependence, those with lower income were more likely to have higher levels of prejudicial attitudes and social distance. While the variable previous contact was not a mediator, it was found that males, respondents of minority background and those with less education were less likely to have had previous contact with an individual who has received mental health treatment. Results from this dissertation indicate a need to place emphasis on the probability of recovering from a mental health condition when developing stigma reducing strategies. Results also highlight the need to focus on the recovery and empowerment of individuals with mental health conditions in education, practice and policy. / text