Community Project
Karina Cerna
Department of Social Work, Adelphi University
SWK 542 – Oppression, Diversity, and the Struggle for Human
Rights
Dr. Dulande Louis
July 7th, 2024
What Is Stigma?
Stigma represents a range of negative thoughts, prejudice, or
misconceptions linked to certain characteristics, situations, or health
conditions (Swaim, 2022).
According to Andersen et al., 2022 the essential nature of stigma
includes:
• Labeling
• Negative stereotyping
• Linguistic separation (specific terms used to describe population)
• Power asymmetry
Racial stigma
Sexual orientation stigma
Different
Forms of Ableism
Stigma Immigrant stigma
Mental illness
Intersectionality and Stigma
It is important to understand how the
combination of stigmatized characteristics
Intersectionality discusses how different
shape intersectional stigma. Several authors
identities overlap and cause multiple
discuss the intersection of identities such as
experiences of discrimination and
persons with disabilities who are also
marginalization (Crenshaw, 2024). In her
immigrants (El-Lahib, 2018) and persons
essay, Crenshaw (2024) notes that it is
with disabilities belonging to the LGBTQ
important to also understand how
community (Griscom, 2024). Cases like
institutions use a person’s identities to
these highlight how individuals with
exclude or bestow privilege among
multiple stigmatized identities are more
different groups.
vulnerable and may experience exacerbated
stigma (Turan et al., 2019).
Effects of Stigma
According to Markowitz (1998), stigma causes negative psychological, emotional, and social effects that have
significant impact on life satisfaction.
Psychological and Emotional Effects of Stigma: Social Effects of Stigma:
• Low self-esteem • Discrimination
• Anxiety • Social isolation
• Depression • Poor social support
• Self efficacy • Poor social-economic outcomes
• Powerlessness
Combating Stigma
Research shows there are several approaches to addressing stigma. According to the Committee on the Science
of Changing Behavioral Health Social Norms (2016, pp. 69-92), some important strategies are:
Education: providing information to correct misinformation and negative attitudes.
Contact: facilitating positive interactions between people with lived experiences and the public to reduce stigma.
Protest and advocacy: using formal objections, boycotts, and public demonstrations to advance civil rights
agendas.
Legislative and policy change: using legal and policy interventions to protect stigmatized groups.
References
Andersen, M. M., Varga, S., & Folker, A. P. (2022). On the Definition of Stigma. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 28(5), 847–853. [Link]
Crenshaw, K. (2024). Why intersectionality can’t wait. In P. S. Rothenberg & C. H. Accomando (Eds.), Race, Class, and Gender in the United States an Intersectional Study
(pp. 84–86). Worth Publishers.
El-Lahib, Y. (2018). Social Work at the Intersection of Disability and Displacement: Rethinking Our Role. Journal of Progressive Human Services, 31(1), 1–20.
[Link]
Griscom, J. L. (2024). The case of Sharon Kowalski and Karen Thompson: Ableism, heterosexism, and sexism. In P. S. Rothenberg & C. H. Accomando (Eds.), Race, Class,
and Gender in the United States an Intersectional Study (pp. 154–161). Worth Publishers.
Markowitz, F. E. (1998). The Effects of Stigma on the Psychological Well-Being and Life Satisfaction of Persons with Mental Illness. Journal of Health and Social Behavior,
39(4), 335. [Link]
NCBI. (2016). Approaches to reducing stigma. [Link]; National Academies Press (US). [Link]
Swaim, E. (2022, October 5). Why Stigma Happens and How to Stop It. Healthline. [Link]
Turan, J. M., Elafros, M. A., Logie, C. H., Banik, S., Turan, B., Crockett, K. B., Pescosolido, B., & Murray, S. M. (2019). Challenges and opportunities in examining and
addressing intersectional stigma and health. BMC Medicine, 17(1). [Link]