The effect of personal and group discrimination on the subjective well-being of people with mental illness: the role of internalized stigma and collective action intention

Abstract

The goal of this study is to test a model in which personal discrimination predicts internalized stigma, while group discrimination predicts a greater willingness to engage in collective action. Internalized stigma and collective action, in turn, are associated to positive and negative affect. A cross-sectional study with 213 people with mental illness was conducted. The model was tested using path analysis. Although the data supported the model, its fit was not sufficiently good. A respecified model, in which a direct path from collective action to internalized stigma was added, showed a good fit. Personal and group discrimination appear to impact subjective well-being through two different paths: the internalization of stigma and collective action intentions, respectively. These two paths, however, are not completely independent, as collective action predicts a lower internalization of stigma. Thus, collective action appears as an important tool to reduce internalized stigma and improve subjective well-being. Future interventions to reduce the impact of stigma should fight the internalization of stigma and promote collective action are suggested.

Keywords:

• Mental illness
• discrimination
• internalized stigma
• collective action
• affects
• structural equation modelling

Acknowledgements

This research was made possible by the collaboration of Instituto de Trabajo Social y de Servicios Sociales (Intress), an organization which manages many of the centers comprising the public network of social care for people with mental illness in the Community of Madrid and other regions of Spain.

Notes

1. Research has found that disclosure offers benefits such as enhanced self-esteem and self-efficacy, which promote physical and mental health. It can also improve relationships and expectations in many social settings. However, disclosure has potential costs as well, including physical and emotional harm, discrimination, disapproval from others, and self-consciousness (Corrigan, Kosyluk, & Rüsch, 2013).