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The self-stigma of depression for women

Author

Listed:
  • Linda Denise Oakley
  • Jonathan W. Kanter
  • Janette Y. Taylor
  • Marilyn Duguid

Abstract

Background: Self-stigmatizing women who avoid seeking treatment for depression could believe that they have pragmatic personal reasons for their decision. As a preliminary step towards testing this hypothesis, the aim of this study was to assess diverse, low-income working women for shared self-stigmatizing beliefs about depression. Methods: Depression and depression self-stigma were assessed in a targeted sample of African American, Caucasian and Latina women who qualify for public health services and have access to health care services. Results: Depression and self-stigmatizing beliefs about depression were positively correlated ( r = .30–.64). Over one third of the women in the study (37.5%) said they would do what they could to keep their depression secret. Over half (55%) indicated that the person they normally would disclose depression to is their best friend. A majority (80%) of the women in the study said they would choose not to disclose personal depression to a health care professional. Pairwise t tests for group differences showed that Caucasian women, women recently seen by a health care professional and women with more years of education had higher self-stigma scores. Conclusion: Self-stigmatizing women who feel depressed could knowingly decide to keep their depression secret with the hope of avoiding loss.

Suggested Citation

  • Linda Denise Oakley & Jonathan W. Kanter & Janette Y. Taylor & Marilyn Duguid, 2012. "The self-stigma of depression for women," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 58(5), pages 512-520, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:58:y:2012:i:5:p:512-520
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764011409820
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ulla-Karin Schön & Anne Denhov & Alain Topor, 2009. "Social Relationships as a Decisive Factor in Recovering From Severe Mental Illness," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 55(4), pages 336-347, July.
    2. Nicolaidis, C. & Tlmmons, V. & Thomas, M.J. & Star Waters, A. & Wahab, S. & Mejia, A. & Renee Mitchell, S., 2010. ""You don't go tell white people nothing": African American women's perspectives on the influence of violence and race on depression and depression care," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(8), pages 1470-1476.
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