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Stigma power

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  • Link, Bruce G.
  • Phelan, Jo

Abstract

When people have an interest in keeping other people down, in or away, stigma is a resource that allows them to obtain ends they desire. We call this resource “stigma power” and use the term to refer to instances in which stigma processes achieve the aims of stigmatizers with respect to the exploitation, control or exclusion of others. We draw on Bourdieu (1987, 1990) who notes that power is often most effectively deployed when it is hidden or “misrecognized.” To explore the utility of the stigma-power concept we examine ways in which the goals of stigmatizers are achieved but hidden in the stigma coping efforts of people with mental illnesses. We developed new self-report measures and administered them to a sample of individuals who have experienced mental illness to test whether results are consistent with the possibility that, in response to negative societal conceptions, the attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of people with psychosis lead them to be concerned with staying in, propelled to stay away and induced to feel downwardly placed – precisely the outcomes stigmatizers might desire. Our introduction of the stigma-power concept carries the possibility of seeing stigmatizing circumstances in a new light.

Suggested Citation

  • Link, Bruce G. & Phelan, Jo, 2014. "Stigma power," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 24-32.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:103:y:2014:i:c:p:24-32
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.07.035
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hatzenbuehler, M.L. & Phelan, J.C. & Link, B.G., 2013. "Stigma as a fundamental cause of population health inequalities," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(5), pages 813-821.
    2. Link, Bruce & Castille, Dorothy M. & Stuber, Jennifer, 2008. "Stigma and coercion in the context of outpatient treatment for people with mental illnesses," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(3), pages 409-419, August.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Smith-Morris, Carolyn, 2017. "Epidemiological placism in public health emergencies: Ebola in two Dallas neighborhoods," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 106-114.
    3. Lukachko, Alicia & Hatzenbuehler, Mark L. & Keyes, Katherine M., 2014. "Structural racism and myocardial infarction in the United States," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 42-50.
    4. Ola, Bolanle A. & Yates, Scott J. & Dyson, Simon M., 2016. "Living with sickle cell disease and depression in Lagos, Nigeria: A mixed methods study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 27-36.
    5. Taylor, Jennifer & Murray, Michael & Lamont, Alexandra, 2017. "Talking about sunbed tanning: Social representations and identity-work," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 161-168.
    6. Frye, Victoria & Paige, Mark Q. & Gordon, Steven & Matthews, David & Musgrave, Geneva & Kornegay, Mark & Greene, Emily & Phelan, Jo C. & Koblin, Beryl A. & Taylor-Akutagawa, Vaughn, 2017. "Developing a community-level anti-HIV/AIDS stigma and homophobia intervention in new York city: The project CHHANGE model," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 45-53.
    7. Jansen, Natalie Anne & Saint Onge, Jarron M., 2015. "An internet forum analysis of stigma power perceptions among women seeking fertility treatment in the United States," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 184-189.

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