Mental illness stigma and disclosure: consequences of coming out of the closet.
The present study investigated disclosure patterns among mental health consumers (N = 500) and examined the relationships among disclosure, perceived stigmatization, perceived social support, and self-esteem. Results suggest that selective disclosure optimizes social support and limits stigmatization. Perceived stigmatization has a detrimental impact on self-esteem, especially for those who are relatively open about their mental disorder.
Bos
Arjan E R
AE
Institute of Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. arjan.bos@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Kanner
Daphne
D
Muris
Peter
P
Janssen
Birgit
B
Mayer
Birgit
B
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D009426:Netherlands; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011287:Prejudice; D012649:Self Concept; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires