Stigma, self-perception and social comparisons in young people with an intellectual disability

Abstract

Whether individuals who have a diagnosis of intellectual disability (ID) perceive and experience stigma has been a matter of some debate. In this paper, we consider the role of the level of ID and gender on perception of stigma in individuals with ID who attend a segregated special secondary school and whether reports of stigma impact self-perception and social comparison with others. Each participant (N = 54) completed self-report measures in a cross-sectional survey design. The degree of ID and gender were found to influence experience of stigma and respondents’ social comparison with others. Category of ID (borderline, mild, moderate) was also associated with differences in self-perception of physical appearance and perception of global self-worth. Social comparisons were also negatively related to experience of stigma. Discussion focuses on the heterogeneity of those affected by ID and how this impacts on their experience of stigma.