title: Is stigma internalized? The longitudinal impact of public stigma on self-stigma.
abstract: Stigma is considered an important barrier to seeking mental health services. Two types of stigma exist: public stigma and self-stigma. Theoretically, it has been argued that public stigma leads to the development of self-stigma. However, the empirical support for this assertion is limited to cross-sectional data. Therefore, the goal of this research was to examine the relationship between public stigma and self-stigma over time. Perceptions of public and self-stigma were measured at Time 1 (T1) and then again 3 months later at Time 2 (T2). Using structural equation modeling, we conducted a cross-lag analysis of public stigma and self-stigma among a sample of 448 college students. Consistent with assertions that public stigma leads to the development of self-stigma, we found that public stigma at T1 predicted self-stigma at T2, whereas the converse was not true. These findings suggest that if self-stigma develops from public stigma, interventions could be developed to interrupt this process at the individual level and reduce or eliminate self-stigma despite perceptions of public stigma.
authors: Department of Psychology, Iowa State University.
authors: David L
authors: DL
authors: Vogel
authors: Department of Psychology, Iowa State University.
authors: Rachel L
authors: RL
authors: Bitman
authors: Department of Psychology, Iowa State University.
authors: Joseph H
authors: 0000-0002-4028-5878
authors: JH
authors: Hammer
authors: Department of Psychology, Iowa State University.
authors: Nathaniel G
authors: NG
authors: Wade
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy; D057545:Social Stigma; D013240:Stereotyping; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult