Journal of Social Issues

Volume 66, Issue 3 p. 553-569

Mental Health Support Groups, Stigma, and Self-Esteem: Positive and Negative Implications of Group Identification

Jason W. Crabtree,

Jason W. Crabtree

University of Exeter

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S. Alexander Haslam,

Corresponding Author

S. Alexander Haslam

University of Exeter

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to S. Alex Haslam, School of Psychology, University of Exeter, EX4 4QG, United Kingdom [e-mail: [email protected]].Search for more papers by this author

Tom Postmes,

Tom Postmes

University of Exeter
University of Groningen

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Catherine Haslam,

Catherine Haslam

University of Exeter

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Jason W. Crabtree,

Jason W. Crabtree

University of Exeter

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S. Alexander Haslam,

Corresponding Author

S. Alexander Haslam

University of Exeter

Tom Postmes,

Tom Postmes

University of Exeter
University of Groningen

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Catherine Haslam,

Catherine Haslam

University of Exeter

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First published: 02 September 2010

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.2010.01662.x

Citations: 188

This research was supported by a grant from the Economic and Social Research Council (Res-062-23-0135).

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Abstract

Research into the relationship between stigmatization and well-being suggests that identification with a stigmatized group can buffer individuals from the adverse effects of stigma. In part, this is because social identification is hypothesized to provide a basis for social support which increases resistance to stigma and rejection of negative in-group stereotypes. The present research tests this model among individuals with mental health problems. As hypothesized, group identification predicted increased social support, stereotype rejection, and stigma resistance. These self-protective mechanisms were in turn found to predict higher levels of self-esteem. However, the general effect of these associations was to suppress a negative relationship between social identification and self-esteem. This confirms that the positive impact of identification lies in its capacity to provide access to stress-buffering mechanisms but also indicates that the impact of identification with a severely stigmatized group is not necessarily positive. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

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Volume66, Issue3

September 2010

Pages 553-569

Mental Health Support Groups, Stigma, and Self-Esteem: Positive and Negative Implications of Group Identification

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Mental Health Support Groups, Stigma, and Self-Esteem: Positive and Negative Implications of Group Identification

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