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Stigmatization and Self-Esteem of Persons in Recovery From Mental Illness: the Role of Peer Support

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  • Mieke Verhaeghe

    (Department of Sociology, Ghent University,Mieke.Verhaeghe@Ugent.be)

  • Piet Bracke

    (Department of Sociology, Ghent University)

  • Kevin Bruynooghe

    (Department of Sociology, Ghent University)

Abstract

Background: Persons with mental health problems often experience stigmatization, which can have detrimental consequences for their objective and subjective quality of life. Previous research seeking for elements buffering this negative association focused on coping strategies and revealed that none of the most often used strategies is successful. Aims: This article studies whether peer support among clients can moderate this negative link, and to what extent. Following the buffering hypothesis on stress and social support, it was expected that the association between stigmatization and self-esteem would be less among persons experiencing greater peer support. Methods: This research problem was studied by means of ordinary least squares regression analysis using quantitative data from structured questionnaires completed by 595 clients of rehabilitation centres. Results and Conclusions: The results confirm that stigmatization is negatively related to self-esteem, while peer support is positively linked with it. Furthermore, they show that peer support moderates the negative association between stigmatization and self-esteem, but not in the expected way. These findings suggest that peer support can only have positive outcomes among clients with few stigma experiences, and that stigmatization itself could impede the formation and beneficial consequences of constructive peer relationships among persons receiving professional mental healthcare.

Suggested Citation

  • Mieke Verhaeghe & Piet Bracke & Kevin Bruynooghe, 2008. "Stigmatization and Self-Esteem of Persons in Recovery From Mental Illness: the Role of Peer Support," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 54(3), pages 206-218, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:54:y:2008:i:3:p:206-218
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764008090422
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Camp, D. L. & Finlay, W. M. L. & Lyons, E., 2002. "Is low self-esteem an inevitable consequence of stigma? An example from women with chronic mental health problems," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 55(5), pages 823-834, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Keunwoo Park & Lee MinHwa & Mikyung Seo, 2019. "The impact of self-stigma on self-esteem among persons with different mental disorders," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 65(7-8), pages 558-565, November.
    2. Melissa Pyle & Anthony P Morrison, 2014. "“It’s just a very taboo and secretive kind of thing”: making sense of living with stigma and discrimination from accounts of people with psychosis," Psychosis, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(3), pages 195-205, July.
    3. Marie Ilic & Jost Reinecke & Gerd Bohner & Röttgers Hans-Onno & Thomas Beblo & Martin Driessen & Ulrich Frommberger & Patrick William Corrigan, 2012. "Protecting self-esteem from stigma: A test of different strategies for coping with the stigma of mental illness," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 58(3), pages 246-257, May.
    4. Whitley, Rob & Denise Campbell, Rosalyn, 2014. "Stigma, agency and recovery amongst people with severe mental illness," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 1-8.
    5. Tally Moses, 2015. "What helps or undermines adolescents’ anticipated capacity to cope with mental illness stigma following psychiatric hospitalization," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 61(3), pages 215-224, May.
    6. Abiodun O. Adewuya & Adekile O. Owoeye & A.O. Erinfolami & Bolanle A. Ola, 2011. "Correlates of Self-Stigma Among Outpatients With Mental Illness in Lagos, Nigeria," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 57(4), pages 418-427, July.
    7. Sanja Totic & Dragan Stojiljković & Zorana Pavlovic & Nenad Zaric & Boris Zarkovic & Ljubica Malic & Marina Mihaljevic & Miroslava Jašović-Gašić & Nadja P. Marić, 2012. "Stigmatization of ‘psychiatric label’ by medical and non-medical students," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 58(5), pages 455-462, September.
    8. Frieh, Ellis C., 2024. "Resistance to the biomedicalization of mental illness through peer support: The case of peer specialists and mental health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 341(C).

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