identity development
People possess and acquire many identities during their lives. A key task for any identity is development, as a cohesive, integrated self is critical for well-being.
One prominent avenue to identity development is through relationships with similar others, but this task is a challenge when people possess concealable stigmatized identities, such as mental illness, sexual assault, or adverse childhood experiences.
In a handful of naturalistic studies, I have shown that stigma constrains the development of concealable stigmatized identities. These developmental constraints contribute to depression and anxiety. I have found that greater concealment by identity group members in people’s immediate environments.
inhibiting positive self-conceptions
undermining the ability to “explore and commit” to an identity