The Role of Deflection Strategies in Resisting the Mental Illness Identity

• In Event: 123 - Section on Social Psychology Refereed Roundtable Session (co-sponsored with Section on Sociology of Emotions and Section on Sociology of Mental Health).
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: Table 07. Coping/Meaning-Making

Abstract

In this paper we draw on insights from identity and labeling theories to examine the relationship between self-views and reflected appraisals among individuals who identify as having a mental illness. First, we examine whether the relationship between self-views and perceived views from generalized and significant others (i.e., partners and family members) are associated with self-worth and self-deprecation among those who report a mental illness identity. Second, we assess the extent to which stigma resistance strategies – specifically distancing and avoidance - play a role in the relationship between reflected appraisals, self-views and self-evaluation for these individuals. We use self-report data from a random sample of 209 individuals who categorize themselves as having a mental illness to assess these relationships. Our findings indicate that reflected appraisals are strongly associated with self-views for the mental illness identity, and that cultural views take on more meaning in combination with perceptions of feedback from general and specific others. We also find self-views and reflected appraisals are significantly associated with self-worth and self-deprecation among individuals with mental health problems, and that these effects vary by the source of feedback. Stigma resistance strategies are related to self-view and self-evaluation directly and indirectly through self-view and reflected appraisals. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for identity and stigma processes.

Authors

• Kristen Marcussen, Kent State University

• Emily Katherine Asencio, Sonoma State University