Social-Environmental Constraints on the Development of a Concealable Stigmatized Identity Predict Psychological Distress

Dados Bibliográficos

ID21454047
AutoresAndrew C Cortopassi (0000-0001-7187-2023, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Piscataway, NJ, USA, autor correspondente), Gandalf Nicolas (0000-0001-8215-1758, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Piscataway, NJ, USA)
Ano2025
Páginas1461672251317817-1461672251317817
Data de publicação2025-03-12
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0146-1672 • E-ISSN: 1552-7433
EditoraSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/01461672251317817
PMID40071760
OpenAlexW4408367337
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas58

People who are stigmatized along concealable features (e.g., individuals reporting adverse childhood experiences) often experience challenges to the self-concept, which can promote psychological distress. Developing a stigmatized identity might counter these effects, but the internality of concealable features can forestall this process: individuals may look to similarly-stigmatized others, but if these group members remain concealed (i.e., are not “out”), they are less identifiable as guides for development. In two studies ( N total = 845), less outness among similarly-stigmatized others in the social environment predicted increased distress—but only for individuals reporting low progress in processes of positive meaning-making (Studies 1 and 2) and exploration (Study 2). The interaction held when controlling for stigmatizing views endorsed by non-stigmatized counterparts (Study 2). Findings highlight similarly-stigmatized others as important constituents of the social environment: low group visibility and accessibility may uniquely contribute to distress for individuals at early phases of developing a positive and clear stigmatized identity

Developmental psychology · Distress · Identity (music) · Meaning (existential) · Mental health · Psychological distress · Psychotherapist · Social group · Social identity theory · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Psychology · Racial and Ethnic Identity Research · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology