Internalization Of Stigma Research Articles

Perceptions of stakeholders on drivers of stigma subjected to People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Alice town, Eastern Cape: Implications for human rights and social service professions

Despite global HIV/AIDS stigma going down significantly, South Africa continues to experience both internal and external stigma that is believed to derail people’s rights to prevention and response. It is therefore important to establish the drivers of stigma and the human rights deficit they pose to the PLWHA and to social workers. The article, through informal community engagements, sought to tap the insights of selected stakeholders on the drivers of stigma in Alice town and its environs. The study comprised thirty-three participants, eight of whom were engaged in in-depth interviews while 25 of them were involved in four focus group discussions. Coding facilitated the selection and establishment of themes. Findings established that stigma was driven by ignorance pertaining to the AIDS aetiology and epidemiology; weaker campaign infrastructure in the rural areas; poverty of the people; denialism and myths. The article has used the philosophy of Ubuntu to suggest how to tackle HIV/AIDS stigma. The article recommends more research on drivers of stigma. Collaboration, as well as a synergy between different stakeholders in the HIV/AIDS arena, is recommended.
 Journal website:
 https://ajsw.africasocialwork.net 
 How to reference using ASWNet style:
 Kangethe S. (2023). Perceptions of stakeholders on drivers of stigma subjected to People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Alice town, Eastern Cape: Implications for human rights and social service professions. African Journal of Social Work, 13(1), 30-38. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v13i1.4

The Personal Suicide Stigma Questionnaire (PSSQ): Relation to Self-Esteem, Well-Being, and Help-Seeking

Two studies are reported that extend the evidence base for use of the Personal Stigma of Suicide Questionnaire (PSSQ). In the first study (N = 117), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the WHO-5 measure of well-being, as well as measures of suicidality were examined in relation to the PSSQ. A self-selected sub-sample (N = 30) completed the PSSQ after an interval of two months. In line with the stigma internalization model, when demographic variables and suicidality were accounted for, the PSSQ self-blame subscale was the most significant predictor of self-esteem. As for well-being, the rejection subscale was involved as well as self-blame. The retest stability of the PSSQ for the sub-sample was 0.85 and coefficient alpha for the total sample was 0.95, indicating both good stability and internal consistency for the scale. In the second study (N = 140), PSSQ was studied in relation to intention to seek help from four sources in the case of suicidal ideation. The strongest relationship with PSSQ was with intention not to seek help from anyone (r = 0.35). When other variables were included in the prediction of help-seeking from a general medical practitioner, family or friends, or from nobody, the only significant PSSQ correlate was minimization. For help-seeking from a psychologist or psychiatrist, the most significant predictor was judged helpfulness of prior contact with them. The results from these studies strengthen previous findings of the construct validity of the PSSQ and point to its utility in understanding barriers to help-seeking among those experiencing suicidality.

“You’re Just a Mental Health Nurse”: Nurses’ Experiences of Associative Stigma When Accessing Physical Health Care for Their Patients

In this article, we present the results of an interpretive phenomenology looking at mental health nurses’ experiences of associative stigma when accessing physical health care for their patients. Our results illustrate the multifaceted dynamics of stigma in the context of mental health nursing and the direct impacts stigmatizing behaviors have on mental health nurses and patients alike, including an impeded access to health care services, loss of social status and personhood, and the internalization of stigma. They also highlight how nurses resist to stigma and how they help their patients cope with stigmatization.

2075. Assessing HIV prevention knowledge and HIV stigma in an urban midwestern community

Abstract Background Stigma and discrimination within communities remain major barriers to HIV prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Prior studies have focused on HIV stigma as perceived by individuals with HIV and among HIV care providers. Our study aims to assess knowledge of HIV prevention, the prevalence of certain misconceptions about HIV, and internal and external HIV-associated stigma within our community. Methods We surveyed patients at three sexually transmitted infection clinics and employees at a community organization and the safety-net hospital in Cleveland, OH. The participants’ involvement was voluntary and anonymous. Participants were asked questions regarding demographics, sexual behavior, HIV prevention, and HIV stigma. Results Among 262 patients surveyed, 19.0% were ≤ 24 years old, 51.5% were male, 85.2% identified as Black, and 45.6% completed high school. Among 137 employees surveyed, 4.0% were ≤ 24 years old, 21.2% were male, 15.6% identified as Black, and 43.1% graduated college/university. Only 98 (38.7%) of patients knew of the concept “Undetectable equals Untransmissible” compared with 79 (59.0%) of employees (p< 0.001). Few patients and employees thought HIV was a punishment sent from God for sinful acts (3.2% vs. 2.0%, p=0.32) but many patients thought HIV was a man-made virus (26.0% vs. 5.3%, p< 0.001) and that there was a known cure for HIV (42.5% vs. 18.7%, p< 0.001). Almost half of participants in both groups endorsed that others talk badly about people with HIV (40.2% vs. 42.5%, p=0.66), and while only 8.4% and 3.7% of patients and employees, respectively, reported they would be ashamed if one of their family members had HIV, 42.4% and 60.9% (p=0.009) of patients and employees, respectively, reported that they would not want their neighbors/coworkers to know that they had HIV. Conclusion While internal stigma related to HIV appears to be low, expected external stigma remains high. Suspicions that HIV is a man-made virus and that a cure exists but withheld from certain communities were prevalent among the community. Further studies can help elucidate the underlying reasons that lead to persistent expected external stigma and suspicions associated with HIV. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.

Understanding language preference: Autism knowledge, experience of stigma and autism identity.

There is ongoing discussion around what language is acceptable when talking about someone with an autism diagnosis, especially regarding person-first (e.g. person with autism) or identity-first (e.g. autistic person) language. We asked 198 Australian adults with an autism diagnosis what terminology they prefer and what they find offensive. We also asked questions to understand their experience of stigma, their autism knowledge and how much they endorse an autism identity, to investigate if these factors were associated with their language preferences. Overall, there was no significant association between these three factors and person-first terminology. For identity-first terms, those who endorse a stronger autism identity tended to find identity-first terms more preferable and less offensive, whereas those who reported greater experiences and internalisation of stigma tended to find identity-first terms less preferable and more offensive. Previous research has tended to ask what language participants prefer. The findings of this work help provide some context as to why people prefer or find offensive specific terms, at least for identity-first language.

REDISCOVERING LIFE (POST TRAUMATIC GROWTH ON PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV)

Background: Post-traumatic growth is a life change. People living with HIV who start to adapt to the current condition have a better life and positive emotion by rediscovering happiness. Post-traumatic growth occurs due to individual thoughts regarding life purposes and reviewing their life priorities.
 Objectives: This study aimed to explore the post-traumatic growth process experienced by people living with HIV.
 Methods: This study employed the qualitative study method with a descriptive phenomenology approach on six participants with HIV at Yayasan Sehat Peduli Kasih, Semarang. The participants were selected following the inclusion criteria, i.e., 24-25-year-olds with no cognitive disorders and regular treatments. The exclusion criteria in this study were participants who could not attend the interview process, although the researchers already made recurring appointments. The interview type utilized in this study was a semi-structured interview. The data analysis model in this study followed the data analysis steps of the colaizzi method.
 Results: Four themes emerged as part of post-traumatic growth. The four identified themes in this study are 1) early stage of HIV positive, 2) post-traumatic growth process, 3) becoming a better person after rediscovering life, and 4) future wishes after rediscovering life. The acquired themes are illustrations of post-traumatic growth in rediscovering life.
 Conclusion: Most People living with HIV have rediscovered purposes and wishes, although they continue to eliminate self-stigma and transform self-image to be positive. It is necessary to develop an HIV intervention program to improve and help the sufferers encounter internal stigma. The interventions include any ECT and spiritual mindfulness that focus on improving self-confidence.

Koping Positif Warga Binaan Pemasyarakatan dalam Menghadapi Stigma dan Diskriminasi

Introduction: Stigma and discrimination are more common among women and affect the development of coping skills for women with HIV. Research related to coping strategies for prisoners with HIV in prisons is still very limited. This study aimed to identify the positive coping methods used and the reasons for using these coping strategies in dealing with stigma and discrimination against female inmates with HIV.Methods: This research method is a qualitative descriptive phenomenological design. The population of this study was female inmates living with HIV with a total of eight participants. Sampling was done by purposive sampling technique. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using the Colaizzi technique.Results: The results of the study found two themes: (1) don't care and stay away from people who cause stigma to avoid problems; (2) attract sympathy and be honest with others to lighten the burden on the mind.Conclusion: Indifference certainly does not always have positive but also negative implications such as the emergence of disputes or divisions and individualism among prisoners. Meanwhile, active coping such as telling the truth can improve prisoners' physical and psychological well-being. The development of intervention programs such as narrative enhancement and cognitive therapy (NECT), family therapy, spiritual emotional freedom technique (SELF), and HIV peer support groups in prisons to develop active coping for female inmates with HIV in facing internal and public stigma is urgently needed. Keywords: Coping, Correctional Setting, Discrimination Stigma, HIV.

Koping Positif Warga Binaan Pemasyarakatan dalam Menghadapi Stigma dan Diskriminasi

Introduction: Stigma and discrimination are more common among women and affect the development of coping skills for women with HIV. Research related to coping strategies for prisoners with HIV in prisons is still very limited. This study aimed to identify the positive coping methods used and the reasons for using these coping strategies in dealing with stigma and discrimination against female inmates with HIV.Methods: This research method is a qualitative descriptive phenomenological design. The population of this study was female inmates living with HIV with a total of eight participants. Sampling was done by purposive sampling technique. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using the Colaizzi technique.Results: The results of the study found two themes: (1) don't care and stay away from people who cause stigma to avoid problems; (2) attract sympathy and be honest with others to lighten the burden on the mind.Conclusion: Indifference certainly does not always have positive but also negative implications such as the emergence of disputes or divisions and individualism among prisoners. Meanwhile, active coping such as telling the truth can improve prisoners' physical and psychological well-being. The development of intervention programs such as narrative enhancement and cognitive therapy (NECT), family therapy, spiritual emotional freedom technique (SELF), and HIV peer support groups in prisons to develop active coping for female inmates with HIV in facing internal and public stigma is urgently needed. Keywords: Coping, Correctional Setting, Discrimination Stigma, HIV.

Perceived stigma, barriers, and facilitators experienced by members of the opioid use disorder community when seeking healthcare.

Healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, have negative attitudes towards individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) and these attitudes can contribute to suboptimal care. The aim of this study was to identify stigma, barriers and facilitators experienced by members of the OUD community when interacting with the healthcare system. A qualitative exploratory design used semi-structured focus group interviews to address the study aim. Following IRB approval, purposive sampling was used to recruit participants with a history of OUD, family caregivers of individuals with OUD, and support group leaders from regional recovery groups to provide a broad perspective of stigmatizing issues and barriers to care. Focus group discussions were conducted, and video recorded using web-based conferencing software. Transcripts from the focus groups and field notes were analyzed and coded into themes. Both structural and social determinants of health were identified by participants as stigmatizing and/or barriers to care. Thematic content analysis resulted in eight themes: stigmatizing language, being labeled, inequitable care, OUD as a chronic illness, insurance barriers, stigma associated with medications for OUD (MOUD), community resources, and nursing knowledge and care. Members of the OUD community are challenged by both internal and external stigma when seeking healthcare. Stigma negatively affects public support for allocation of resources to treat OUD. Interventions aimed at reducing stigma are critical to support effective OUD treatment and prevent barriers to OUD care. Understanding the complex relationships between stigma and structural determinants of health will allow nursing science to develop educational interventions that provide the next generation of nurses with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to advance health equity for individuals with OUD.

Patient and Physician Preferences Regarding Long-Acting Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and Antiretroviral Therapy: A Mixed-Methods Study in Southern California, USA.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are key strategies in ending the HIV epidemic. However, poor adherence to daily ART and PrEP increases the risk of HIV transmission and acquisition. Long-acting ART and PrEP formulations attempt to improve adherence through providing long-lasting forms of the medication delivered through different routes of administration: oral (potentially monthly), injection (1-6 months), and subdermal implant (up to annually). This study explored patient and physician preferences for long-acting ART and PrEP as well as adherence support strategies. Adult patients (n = 42) with experience taking ART or PrEP participated in individual interviews or focus groups. Physicians (n = 13) currently prescribing ART and/or PrEP completed an online questionnaire. Rapid qualitative analysis systematically synthesized qualitative data, and descriptive statistics examined survey responses. Patients supported improved adherence as a top potential advantage of long-acting ART and PrEP, and reduced internal stigma as a strong benefit specific to long-acting ART. Annual coverage offered through subdermal implants had strong appeal; however, oral was the preferred modality for long-acting ART and PrEP. Patients preferred injectable ART and PrEP if concurrently receiving hormone therapy injections. Side effects, medication cost, and treatment accessibility were potential barriers. Patients preferred calendar tracking and text messages/phone reminders for adherence supports. Physicians reported that they would reduce clinic visits and HIV testing for all patients on long-acting PrEP, except men who have sex with men who would continue to complete HIV testing every 3 months. Physicians were mixed on whether they believed long-acting ART and PrEP would improve patient adherence. Overall, findings demonstrate the potential benefits of long-acting ART and PrEP, while highlighting the need to obtain additional information to address treatment concerns.

Exploring Stigma Towards People with Schizophrenia in Mass Media and Their Private Discourses

IntroductionIt has been shown that public stigma towards people with schizophrenia hinders their psychosocial integration. Public stigma expresses itself through lexical labels used in the print media and social networks, heightening the internalization of stigma in this population, a phenomenon known as internalised stigma or self-stigma. This paper analyses the diffusion in the mass media of two dimensions of stigma: public stigma and self-stigma. MethodsFor public stigma, we searched for the lexical labels “schizophrenia”, “schizophrenic”, “psychosis” and “psychotic” in Chilean newspapers from 2010 to 2020, and for self-stigma, we used semi-structured interviews with people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia who are users of mental health services in Santiago de Chile. The findings were organised into four categories per stigma dimension. Lexical frequencies and semantic relationships were then analysed using the UAM Corpus tool and AntConc software. ResultsThe results showed frequent use of stigmatising labels in the written press, with harmful semantic associations such as violence, delinquency, unpredictability and danger. ConclusionsSuch labels tend to be accepted by those affected, evidence of their internalisation of the stigma towards the disease, and create a barrier to integration and inclusion.

Quality of Life and Its Association With HIV-Related Stigma Among People Living With HIV in Kerman, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) and its association with HIV-related stigma among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Kerman province, southeast Iran. A convenience sample of 104 PLHIV was recruited. Data on QoL were collected using the HIV/AIDS-Targeted QoL instrument. Internal and external stigma were measured using an instrument developed by UNAIDS. The average QoL score was 52.5 ( SD =13.9). In multivariable model, PLHIV who experienced higher external stigma score (B = -1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.6 to -1.1) and higher internal stigma score (B = -1.1; 95% CI: -1.5 to -0.6) had lower level of QoL. The low level of QoL among PLHIV in Iran indicates the need for initiatives to increase QoL among this population. Our data suggest that QoL in PLHIV could be improved by interventions aimed at reducing stigma in both community and health care settings.

Associations between public and self-stigma of help-seeking with help-seeking attitudes and intention: A meta-analytic structural equation modeling approach.

The present study examined the association between help-seeking public stigma and help-seeking self-stigma (i.e., internalization of stigma) and the relative association of both types of stigma with help-seeking attitude and intention using a full-information meta-analytic structural equation modeling approach. We also investigated the moderating effect of gender, age, collectivism, and social group in the internalization process. Results from 115 independent samples containing data from 54,793 individuals showed that public stigma of help-seeking was strongly and positively associated with self-stigma of help-seeking. Moreover, after controlling for the effect of each other, self-stigma, but not public stigma, remained significantly associated with help-seeking attitude and help-seeking intention. Gender, age, collectivism, and social group did not significantly moderate the association between public and self-stigma. The findings highlight that people who perceive more stigma of help-seeking from others tend to have higher levels of self-stigma. Compared with help-seeking public stigma, help-seeking self-stigma might have a larger impact on one's help-seeking attitude and intention. Help-seeking promotion campaigns should be devised to tackle both types of stigma to foster positive help-seeking attitude and intention. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

“Shame, Doubt and Sadness”: A Qualitative Investigation of the Experience of Self-Stigma in Adolescents with Diverse Sexual Orientations

Many adolescents with diverse sexual orientations lead happy and fulfilled lives. However, evidence consistently suggests elevated rates of mental health difficulties in this population relative to heterosexual peers, and internalization of stigma (i.e., self-stigma) is implicated in these elevated rates. This study aimed to understand and describe the lived experience of self-stigma with respect to participants’ sexual orientations. To do this, N = 21 semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescents aged 14–18 who are attracted to the same gender, asking about how their stigma experiences affected their views of their sexual orientation, and themselves. A community reference group of young people with diverse sexual orientations was also consulted in the development of the study, and interpretation of the themes. Through thematic analysis of the self-stigma data and the consultation process, four themes were developed: (1) stigma is a precursor to self-stigma; (2) acceptance is a precursor to self-acceptance; (3) contents of self-stigma, characterized by two subthemes: (i) self-shame (comprised of feelings of abnormality, self-disgust and/or being a ‘bad’ person) and (ii) self-invalidation; and (4) self-stigma is painful and can be damaging. There is a contrast between the way that internalized homophobia is operationalized, and the way self-stigma was characterized in this study with young people, and conceptualizing and measuring self-stigma may need to be updated. Based on the analysis, we suggest four ways to address self-stigma and its impacts: (1) individual intervention; (2) increasing acceptance in families and communities; (3) providing respectful and normalizing sexuality education and information; and (4) overcoming community stigma.

Prevalence and correlates of self-stigma in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

ABSTRACT Background: Self-stigma refers to the internalisation of negative societal views and stereotypes. Self-stigma has been well-characterised in the context of mental disorders such as schizophrenia but has received little attention in relation to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Objective: This work aimed to determine the prevalence of self-stigma in a sample of adults with PTSD and to establish factors associated with the internalisation of stigma in this population. Method: Participants were 194 adults (mean age 46.07 (SD = 12.39); 64.4% female; 96.6% white Caucasian; residing in the UK), who self-reported a diagnosis of PTSD and currently screened positive for the disorder according to the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Structured interviews and validated self-report questionnaires were used to ascertain clinical and sociodemographic information for analysis. Results: The prevalence of self-stigma measured by the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS) was 41.2% (95% CI 34.24–48.22). There was no evidence of an association between self-stigma and gender (β = −2.975 (95% CI −7.046–1.097) p = .151), age (β = 0.007 (95% CI −0.152–0.165) p = .953), sexual trauma (β = 0.904 (95% CI −3.668–5.476) p = .697), military trauma (β = −0.571 (95% CI −4.027–7.287) p = .571). Self-stigma was associated with lower income and higher levels of anxiety (β = 5.722 (95% CI 2.922–8.522) p = <.001), depression (β = 6.937 (95% CI 4.287–9.588) p = <.000), and traumatic stress symptoms (β = 3.880 (95% CI 1.401–6.359) p = .002). Conclusions: The results indicate that self-stigma may be a significant issue among people with a diagnosis of PTSD. Further work is needed to understand the long-term impact and to develop interventions to address the internalisation of stigma in this population. HIGHLIGHTS The prevalence of self-stigma among a sample of participants with PTSD was 41.2%. There was no evidence of an association between self-stigma and gender, age or sexual / military trauma. Self-stigma was associated with lower income and higher levels of anxiety, depression, and traumatic stress symptoms.

PENGETAHUAN DAN STIGMA SOSIAL MEMENGARUHI PERILAKU PENCARIAN PENGOBATAN TUBERKULOSIS

Knowledge and social stigma can influence the behavior of TB sufferers in seeking treatment in order to free themselves from the disease and obtain health recovery. This study aims to analyze the effect of knowledge and social stigma of tuberculosis on treatment-seeking behavior. This research is quantitative research conducted in the working area of ​​Hutabaginda Public Health Center, North Tapanuli Regency. The sample in the study was 60 people consisting of 30 TB patients and 30 people from the community. Research data in the form of primary data, secondary data, and tertiary data. Data were analyzed by univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis. The results showed that there was no effect of patient knowledge on the behavior of seeking treatment for tuberculosis patients with p = 0.563 &gt; 0.05. There is no influence of internal stigma on the behavior of seeking treatment for tuberculosis patients with a p-value = 0.565 &gt; 0.05. There is an influence of public knowledge on the behavior of seeking treatment for tuberculosis patients with a p-value = 0.027 &lt;0.05. There is an influence of external stigma on the behavior of seeking treatment for tuberculosis patients in the working area of the Hutabaginda Public Health Center, North Tapanuli Regency with p = 0.030 &lt;0.05. Based on this, it is recommended that the results of this study be used as input for the Hutabaginda Public Health Center, North Tapanuli Regency to make programs and evaluations in dealing with health problems, especially cases of pulmonary TB.

Valve Ultrastructure and Description of a new Luticola D.G.Mann (Bacillariophyceae) species from Colorado, USA

A new species of the diatom genus Luticola D.G.Mann is described from a wet meadow environment from Gunnison County, Colorado, based on light and scanning electron microscopy. The new species has rugose valves, with longitudinal interruptions in the striae. Unlike other species of the genus, L. coloradiana sp. nov. has a simple structure of the internal stigma, lacking the complex opening seen in all other species in the genus. The new species resembles L. plausibilis (Hustedt) D.G.Mann, described from Franz Josef Land in the Arctic, but differs in valve shape and density of the striae. Luticola coloradiana sp. nov. also resembles L. plausibiloides Metzeltin et al., a species described from subtropical Uruguay, but differs in striae density and the rugose nature of the valves. Further research is needed to assess if the similar species from the Arctic and subtropical South America also possess the unique stigma structure seen in L. coloradiana sp. nov.

Discrimination and Rejection: The Effects of Ethnic and Sexuality-Based Discrimination Against Latino Gay and Bisexual Men.

Latino gay and bisexual men (GBM) may experience discrimination attributed to their sexual orientation and ethnicity, necessitating an examination of their experiences from an intersectional lens. While relationships between discrimination and the internalization of those messages have been previously researched, less is known about experiencing discrimination attributed to different identities and its relationships with discrete attributions of internalized stigma. Understanding how different attributes of identity-based discrimination are related to different attributes of identity-based internalization of stigma among gay and bisexual men of color may be important in the design of interventions to help Latino GBM cope with discrimination and prevent negative mental health outcomes. In order to achieve this aim, the current study utilized data from the Latino MSM Community Involvement: HIV Protective Effects Study, which included 571 self-identified Latino GBM. Results demonstrate that experiences of external anti-Latino discrimination were significantly linked to both internalized ethnicity- and sexuality-based stigma, whereas experiences of external sexuality-based discrimination were not significantly linked with internalized ethnicity- or sexuality-based stigma. Results suggest a need for future research to further examine effects of external ethnic discrimination on the psychosocial health of Latino GBM.

Education to Identify and Reduce Nurse Stigma and Bias Toward Pregnant Women With Substance Use Disorder

The incidence of substance use disorder (SUD) during pregnancy is a national crisis. Nurses who exhibit stigmatizing behavior and bias toward women with SUD contributes to poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. Women with SUD have reported that nurse interactions directly influence their demoralization, leading to internalization of stigma and contributing to mistrust in the nurse–patient relationship. During pregnancy, bias toward women with SUD increases, further isolating them and increasing their avoidance to seeking care.

Stigma in Early-Stage Lung Cancer.

The phenomenon of lung cancer stigma has been firmly established in the literature. However, studies have predominantly focused on patients with advanced disease, whose experiences may differ from patients with earlier stage, surgically resectable lung cancer and an improved prognosis. The objective of the study was to examine the stigma experienced in a Canadian population with early-stage, resectable lung cancer. Patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer were enrolled at a tertiary thoracic surgery clinic. The 25-item Lung Cancer Stigma Inventory (LCSI) was self-administered by patients to quantitatively measure experiences of lung cancer stigma. LCSI results informed the development of a semi-structured focus group and individual interviews. Of the 53 participants completing the survey, 38 (72%) met established LCSI score threshold, indicating a clinically meaningful level of stigma. No significant relationship was found between total LCSI scores and any demographic variable. Analysis of qualitative data revealed multiple themes related to experiences of lung cancer stigma. The major themes were classified into four categories: impact of the association between lung cancer and smoking, societal attitudes and assumptions, personal choices in relation to diagnosis, and experiences related to care. A surgical population of patients with predominantly early-stage lung cancer experienced lung cancer stigma at a high incidence and a level similar to previously studied populations with more advanced disease. The qualitative results support the quantitative findings that respondents experienced more internal stigma than either perceived stigma from others or constrained disclosure related to their diagnosis.