stigma shapes identity & changes the self
Stigmatization is the sociological process by which human differences are made salient, fomenting the creation of person-categories, which are then tagged with negative stereotypes (Link & Phelan, 2001). Occupying one of these social positions denotes “stigma” and is theorized to shape self and identity (Goffman, 1963; Quinn & Chaudoir, 2009).
My research focuses on the contexts of these changes and how these changes influence health. I focus on three broad themes:
We find evidence of disparities in mental health, COVID mortality for a wide range of stigmatized groups, including: , sexual assault, mental illness, addiction, abortion, childhood abuse, and domestic violence.
These disparities emerge in the context of disempowering and stigmatizing environments.
People acquire many identities throughout life, and the of these is critical for well-being. However, this task is a challenge when people possess concealable stigmatized identities.
We find that stigma constrains people’s abilities to develop positive identities by facilitating greater concealment by group members people’s immediate environments.
There are various facets of self that stigma can shape and change. We find that specific facets are related to distinct health outcomes , ranging from stress and physical health, depression, anxiety and OCD, and health-adjacent behavior.
These facets often depend on characteristics of the environment.
these changes emerge in context to determine health
stigma shapes and changes self & identity
Stigmatization is the sociological process by which human differences are made salient, fomenting the creation of person-categories, which are then tagged with negative stereotypes (Link & Phelan, 2001). Occupying one of these social positions denotes “stigma” and is theorized to shape and change aspects of self and identity (Goffman, 1963; Quinn & Chaudoir, 2009). These changes can be bound to situations
My research focuses on the contexts of these changes and how these changes influence health. I focus on three broad themes: