Conceptualizing and Developing a Dynamic Stigma Theory

Abstract

Stigma is a form of injustice that contributes to the worsening course of the symptoms associated with mental health problems. The paper discusses the conceptualization and development of a contemporary theoretical model of stigma. Building on the findings of an initial scoping review, the author developed a theoretical model after thoroughly analyzing and redefining the key concepts of interest. This article proposes that stigmatized individuals are impacted by the religiocultural and structural violence perspectives embedded within social spaces, leading to stigma perception appraisal and subsequent coping mechanisms, which could be adaptive or maladaptive. Current models of mental illness stigma have gaps. It is time to relook at existing stigma frameworks and fill these gaps that have existed for many years for effective anti-stigma strategies.

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank all library staff for their support during the literature search.

Disclosure statement

The author has no competing interests to declare.

Data availability statement

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analyzed in the current study.

Additional information

Funding

There was no financial assistance associated with this work.