Vicarious Stigma and Self-Stigma Experienced by Parents of Children with Mental Health and/or Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Marisa D Serchuk,Patrick W Corrigan,Sarah Reed,Jeneva L Ohan

doi:10.1007/s10597-021-00774-0

Abstract

The stigma of young children with mental health and/or neurodevelopmental disorders is experienced by their parents in at least two ways: self-stigma and vicarious stigma. Secrecy may diminish stigma through impression management or strategic disclosure. The present study explores the relationship between vicarious stigma, self-stigma, secrecy coping, depression, and quality of life. Additionally, we examine the structure of a novel measure of vicarious stigma. Fifty parents of children with mental health and/or neurodevelopmental disorders completed measures. Self-stigma and sadness due to vicarious stigma were significantly associated with greater depression and diminished quality of life. Higher secrecy coping was also associated with higher depression and lower quality of life, supporting the benefits of disclosure. This research meaningfully adds to our understanding of stigma in general, and as experienced by parents of children with mental health and/or neurodevelopmental disorders. Implications for ongoing stigma change development and evaluation are discussed.

Highlights

Parents of children with mental health and/or neurodevelopmental disorders experience stigma
Research clearly shows that even young children with mental health or neurodevelopmental [e.g., attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder] disorders are stigmatized by the general public with stereotypes including dangerousness and blame (Kinnear, Link, Ballan, & Fischbach, 2016; Martin, Pescosolido, Olafsdottir, & Mcleod, 2007; Pescosolido et al, 2008)
Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder may have similar, parent-blaming experiences of stigma parents of children with mental health disorders experience (Mak & Kwok, 2010), and this may be true for parents of children with ADHD relative to other mental health disorders (Eaton et al, 2016), so they were included in this study as well

Summary

Introduction

Parents of children with mental health and/or neurodevelopmental disorders experience stigma. Social distance may result from public stigma, such as not wanting children with mental health disorders to move door or have such a child as a classmate (Ohan, Visser, Moss, & Allen, 2013). Parents of children with mental health and/or neurodevelopmental disorders have been blamed for their parental role, often leading to social distance (Corrigan et al, 2006; Eaton, Ohan, Stritzke, & Corrigan, 2016; Kinnear et al, 2016). Stereotypes that impact this blame relate to genetics

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Conclusion