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

A phenomenological-grounded theory methodology was utilized to explore the transformational healing journeys of five Caucasian men in recovery from pervasive shame in their lives. An overview of several western approaches to treating shame are included, as well as two predominant Universal Developmental theories of shame and its link to the resolution of narcissism. During the thematic analysis of the interviews, thirteen themes were derived, which constituted a chronological depiction of the story of shame, as it unfolded in the lives of the participants. Additionally, an in-depth look at the families of origin, and the beginnings of shame in the participants’ lives is presented, as well as a picture of how their lives are now, after recovery from their shame. Implications for counseling were addressed. / ix, 196 leaves ; 29 cm

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.

Thesis (M.A.)--Michigan State University. Dept. of Psychology, 2006 / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Nov. 20, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 90-99). Also issued in print.

Thesis (M.S.W.) - Carleton University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 117-125). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 48-50).

This research situates itself in the study of stigma in mental illness. In particular, the aim is to explore the potential that art making and exhibiting has in reducing stigma for those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. The research explores one aspect (the exhibition stage) of an "art as therapy" project. The exhibiting of one’s artwork aims to counter limiting "patient" identities by allowing those labelled as psychiatric patients to extend their self-identity to an alternative identity of the "artist". However, this idea only stands strong if the artwork created is not discriminated against as "naïve art" and is accepted or at least considered for acceptance as legitimate nonprofessional artwork. This research explores the ways in which art created by inpatients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia is received by the general art-viewing public at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa. The study uses a discourse analytic framework to analyse the interviews of members of the public who attended the art exhibition of patient artwork. It will examine the ways in which the public construct the artworks and how they position the makers of this art across a continuum, from patient to artist. The results of this thesis have implications for rehabilitation practices for people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia particularly with regard to opportunities to "perform" alternative identities in public spaces.

Orientador: Leticia Bicalho Canedo / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Educação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-13T15:43:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva_AnaConsueloAlvesda_D.pdf: 8650595 bytes, checksum: 63aeac6298ee32f85d1162088ab1e9ee (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: O presente estudo teve por objetivos investigar se a terapêutica de isolamento dos acometidos pela tuberculose, no início do século XX, contribuiu para a estigmatização dos doentes; se o estigma relacionado a esta doença está presente atualmente; se há diferenças entre homens e mulheres para lidar com este estigma; e se há, diante das possíveis diferenças, repercussões distintas na condução e conclusão do tratamento. A metodologia utilizada compreendeu um estudo de caso e a aplicação de entrevistas com doentes de tuberculose. O estudo de caso foi realizado na cidade de São José dos Campos, a qual se tornou referência para o tratamento da tuberculose, na "era sanatorial", a partir da leitura e análise das publicações jornalísticas do início do século passado. As entrevistas foram realizadas com homens e mulheres que trataram da tuberculose no ambulatório de referência do município de Jacareí e do complexo hospitalar da UNICAMP. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que o isolamento prescrito por médicos no início do século XX como um dos recursos importantes para a cura da tuberculose contribuiu para a sobrecarga de alguns emblemas depreciativos atribuídos aos doentes, intensificando o estigma da doença. A análise sugere ainda que homens e mulheres, pelo distinto processo de socialização, lidam diferentemente com a doença, o que reflete desde o modo como buscam por um tratamento até como o conduzem. Enquanto os homens apresentam a debilitação física como queixa primordial no adoecimento por tuberculose, para as mulheres o estigma apresenta-se como a primeira e mais constante queixa, perdurando mesmo após a conclusão do tratamento. / Abstract: This survey aimed to investigate if the isolation therapy of those affected by tb in the beginning of the 20th century contributed to the stigmatization of patients, if the stigma of this illness is still present, if there are differences between men and women in dealing with this stigma, and if there are, in front of possible differences,distinct repercussions in carrying on and concluding the tratment. The methodology used envolved survey of case and applying interviews with tb patients. The survey of case was developed in the city of Sao Jose dos Campos, which became a reference for tb treatment in the beginning of the last century, from the reading and analysis of news publications of that time. Interviews were taken with men and women who were treated of tb in the reference clinic in the city of Jacarei and in the medical facilities of UNICAMP (University of Campinas). The results achieved suggest that the isolation, prescribed by doctors in the beginning of the last century as one of the important resources to the cure of tb, contributed with the overcharge of some depreciating symbols attributed to tb patients intensifying the stigma of this illness.The analysis also suggests that men and women, due to distinct process of socialization, deal with the illness differently, which reflects from how they seek for treatment to how they carry it on.While men have as major complaint about being ill of tb phisical debility, with women the stigma is the first and most constant complaint, lasting even after treatment is concluded. / Doutorado / Educação, Conhecimento, Linguagem e Arte / Doutor em Educação