title: Stigma, social comparison and self-esteem in adults with an intellectual disability.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The paper examines the perception of stigma in 43 adults with an intellectual disability, the relationship this has with their psychological well-being and whether the process of social comparison has a moderating effect on this relationship.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire-based, within-participant design was used. Participants completed three self-report measures of perception of stigma, self-esteem and social comparison.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Perception of stigma was found to be significantly related to negative social comparisons, which in turn was significantly related to low self-esteem. No difference was found between social comparisons made with other service users and those made with people in the community. Social comparison was not found to have a moderating effect on the relationship between stigma and self-esteem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides support for the influence of the perception of stigma and social comparison on the self-concept of individuals with an intellectual disability.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychology Learning Disability Service, NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Paterson
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.forename: Bill
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lindsay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019989:Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012938:Social Perception; D057545:Social Stigma; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult