Stigma of mental and physical illness and the use of mobile technology

ABSTRACT

Research has shown the stigma attached to mental disabilities, yet little research has directly compared the experiences of people with physical disabilities and those with mental disabilities. Not only are both conditions likely perceived as stigmatizing, but the pervasive use of mobile technology may be one means by which people with disabilities can manage and understand their disability. Four hundred and eighty-seven individuals with physical and/or psychological disabilities completed a survey examining whether they would be willing to use mobile technology to manage their disability and how stigmatizing they perceived their disability to be. Willingness to use mobile technology was related to the age of the sample as well as the type of disability. Individuals with psychological disabilities were more likely to use certain forms of mobile technology relative to those with physical disabilities. Observed differences between physical and psychological disabilities are discussed in terms of the symbolic interaction stigma model.

KEYWORDS:

• Disability
• mobile technology
• stigma
• symbolic interactionism

Notes

1. Including age as a covariate in this analysis did not change any of the observed effects.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Robin Marie Kowalski

Robin Kowalski, PhD, is a Professor of Psychology at Clemson University. Her research focuses on aversive interpersonal behaviors, with a particular focus on complaining and cyberbullying.

Megan Morgan

Megan Morgan is a third year doctoral student in the Industrial/Organizational Psychology Program at Clemson University. Her research focuses on complaining in the workplace.

Katlyn Taylor

Katlyn Taylor is a graduate of Clemson University where she majored in Psychology. Her research focused primarily on cyberbullying and apologies.