title: Dealing with stigma: experiences of persons affected by disabilities and leprosy.
abstract: Persons affected by leprosy or by disabilities face forms of stigma that have an impact on their lives. This study seeks to establish whether their experiences of stigma are similar, with a view to enabling the two groups of people to learn from each other. Accounts of experiences of the impact of stigma were obtained using in-depth interviews and focus group discussion with people affected by leprosy and by disabilities not related to leprosy. The analysis shows that there are a lot of similarities in impact of stigma in terms of emotions, thoughts, behaviour, and relationships between the two groups. The main difference is that those affected by leprosy tended to frame their situation in medical terms, while those living with disabilities described their situation from a more social perspective. In conclusion, the similarities offer opportunities for interventions and the positive attitudes and behaviours can be modelled in the sense that both groups can learn and benefit. Research that tackles different aspects of stigmatization faced by both groups could lead to inclusive initiatives that help individuals to come to terms with the stigma and to advocate against exclusion and discrimination.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Disability Studies, Selo Sumarjan Research Centre (SSRC), Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Gedung H 6th Floor, Cubicle E, Kampus FISIP UI, Depok 16424, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Mimi
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8784-0261
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lusli
authors.affiliation: Athena Institute, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marjolein B M
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Zweekhorst
authors.affiliation: Athena Institute, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Miranda-Galarza
authors.affiliation: Athena Institute, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ruth M H
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.affiliation: Athena Institute, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cummings
authors.affiliation: Centre for Disability Studies, Selo Sumarjan Research Centre (SSRC), Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Gedung H 6th Floor, Cubicle E, Kampus FISIP UI, Depok 16424, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Francisia S S E
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Seda
authors.affiliation: Athena Institute, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Joske F G
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Bunders
authors.affiliation: Centre for Disability Studies, Selo Sumarjan Research Centre (SSRC), Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Gedung H 6th Floor, Cubicle E, Kampus FISIP UI, Depok 16424, Indonesia.
authors.lastname: Irwanto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia; D007918:Leprosy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057545:Social Stigma