Stigmatization Of Persons Research Articles

Проблемні питання інформування суспільства про хід та результати кримінальних проваджень в Україні

PROBLEM ISSUES OF PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRESS AND RESULTS OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS IN UKRAINE Annotation. The article focuses attention on the shortcomings of the current legislation of Ukraine regarding informing society about the progress and results of criminal proceedings in Ukraine. In particular, attention is drawn to the fact that the practice of blurring faces in photos or videos does not always provide adequate protection against identification, especially when additional information is available. The subjective nature of identifying a person makes the issue of anonymity even more difficult. This requires the legislator and law enforcement agencies to find new approaches and solutions to protect personal data. Completely blurring the image of a suspect or accused person in a photograph may be a more effective way to protect their right to privacy and the presumption of innocence. This approach minimizes the risk of identification. However, there is a question about the expediency of publishing such a photo, which will not have any informational value. However, the protection of private life should become a priority for improving the current legislation of Ukraine. The application of the principle of presumption of innocence should be transformed from declarative references to its strict observance, because simultaneously with inconspicuous reports, society receives one-sided information based on the position of the prosecution, which subsequently undermines trust not only in the judiciary, but also in these bodies themselves. Cases of inappropriate texts and stigmatization of persons against whom criminal proceedings are being carried out indicate the need to strengthen control over the observance of the principle of presumption of innocence. The opinion is expressed that there is a critical need to update legislation and practice in the field of informing society about the progress and results of criminal proceedings in Ukraine in order to effectively protect personal data and human dignity, and only an integrated approach that includes legal, technological and ethical aspects will allow to achieve the necessary the level of protection of human rights in the conditions of the modern information society. Keywords: informing society; criminal proceedings; pretrial investigation; confidential information; personal data; human dignity; presumption of innocence.

Determining the Level of Depression Stigma of University Students: A Descriptive Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the level of depression stigmatization among university students. Method: This descriptive study was conducted with 929 university students. Descriptive Information Form and Depression Stigma Scale were used in the study. Mean and standard deviation were used for continuous variables; number and percentage were used for categorical data. The study data were evaluated with Independent t test for variables with two groups and One-Way ANOVA test for variables with more than two groups. Statistical evaluation of the data was performed using SPSS 25.0 Newyork package program. Results: It was determined that 42.2% of the university students who participated in the study were between 21-22 years of age, 56.6% were female, 21.9% had received psychiatric help at any time in their lives, 6.2% had a psychiatric illness, and 3.8% used a psychiatric drug. The mean total score of the depression stigmatization scale personal stigmatization sub-dimension was 14.52±7.08 and the mean total score of the perceived stigmatization sub-dimension was 20.76±8.88. It was found that female students had lower levels of personal stigmatization and higher levels of perceived stigmatization than male students (p

Emotional reactions and stigmatization after a parricide in South Tyrol, Italy, among mental health professionals and the general population, including persons with mental disorders, relatives, and persons with no direct or indirect contact.

This study was conducted on the occasion of the parricide in Bolzano (South Tyrol, Italy) in January 2021. The psychological impact of parricide on the general population and on mental health professionals has scarcely been investigated to the present day. Studies on stigmatization show differences between various groups. The aim was to analyze the emotional reactions to the parricide and the stigmatization of persons with mental disorders in the South Tyrolian population. In September 2022, 121 mental health professionals of the Department of Psychiatry in Bolzano were surveyed using an online questionnaire. In addition, from January to March 2023, the general population of South Tyrol was invited to take part in the survey through an online-link and was divided into three groups: 267 persons with mental health problems, 855 relatives and 1,019 persons with no direct or indirect contact to people with mental problems. The validated Reported and Intended Behavior Scale (RIBS) was used together with questions on the emotional reactions to the parricide and the perceived dangerousness of psychiatric patients. Descriptive statistics, one-way Anovas as well as regressions were carried out. All groups experienced sadness the most. Relatives experienced more sadness and anger than the other groups. Over 80% of the professionals stated that psychiatric patients were not at greater risk of committing parricide. The population with no contact rated the risk higher than those affected and had the lowest level of openness (RIBS). There were no differences between genders, but there were age differences, with younger people being more stigmatizing. The results suggest that personal contact, appropriate information, and education are associated with less stigmatization.

Experiences of seeking and accessing medical care among persons with major depression: A qualitative descriptive study of persons with depression in China.

A large number of people in China are affected by depression, yet tend to delay seeking treatment. This study aims to explore persons living with depression and their journey of diagnoses and seeking professional medical help in China. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 persons who visiting physicians to be diagnosed and receive professional help from a large mental health center in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China. Individual interviews were conducted and data were analyzed using content analysis. Three themes were identified from the findings: (1) "noticed something was wrong"; (2) negotiated decisions with their own narratives and the personal suggestions of others; and (3) gave new meaning to their experiences of depression, whereby they sought medical treatment. The findings of the study indicated that the impact of progressive depressive symptoms on the participants' daily lives was a strong motivation for them to seek professional help. The obligation to care for and support their family prevented them from initially disclosing their depressive symptoms to family members, but eventually prompted them to seek professional help and persist in follow-up treatment. Some participants experienced unexpected benefits (e.g., relief at no longer feeling "alone") during their first visit to the hospital for depression or when they were diagnosed with depression. The results suggest a need to continue to actively screen for depression and provide more public education to prevent negative assumptions and reduce public and personal stigmatization of those with mental health problems.

Post-recovery Stigma in Early and Late COVID-19 Epidemic

People who recover from the novel coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) complain of psychological symptoms such as stress, anxiety, and depression by psycho-stress due to social stigma in the early stage of the epidemic. To assess the psychological stigma of early and late epidemic periods, stigma scale was compared between the first epidemic period (February-May 2020, n = 20) and the fifth epidemic period (February-May 2022, n = 21) post-recovery COVID-19 patients in outpatient clinic. The average total stigma score was significantly higher (79.6 ± 18.16) in post-recovery COVID-19 patients of the early (first) epidemic period compared to late (5th) epidemic period patients (37.5 ±10.99). Four subscales were significantly higher in early epidemic period compared to late epidemic period (enacted stigma 27.5 ± 7.25 vs. 13.0±4.18, disclosure concerns 19.5 ± 9.38 vs. 9.4 ± 2.99, negative self-image 16.2 ± 8.10 vs. 8.1±2.47, concern with public attitudes 16.6 ± 6.95 vs. 7.0 ± 2.01). In those who recovered from the early COVID-19 epidemic period, patients experienced significantly higher social stigma stress compared to the late epidemic period. In the early period of novel virus epidemics, the risk of personal stigmatization and stress should be prevented in public policy. Socio-psychological assessment and treatment should be considered for the patient in addition to physical symptoms.

Suicide, Stigma and COVID-19: A Call for Action From Low and Middle Income Countries.

Suicide is a global health issue that needs to be addressed. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increased mental health burden. Stigma has obstructed efforts to prevent suicide as individuals who need urgent support do not seek appropriate help. The influence of stigma is likely to grow in tandem with the COVID-19 pandemic. The stigmatization of persons with mental illnesses is widespread worldwide, and it has substantial effects on both the individual and society. Our viewpoints aim to address the probable link between stigma and suicide in the wake of the current pandemic and propose ideas for reducing suicide-related stigma.

Examination of Factors Affecting Therapeutic Attitude and Empowerment of Perianesthesia Nurses Who Care for Patients With Opioid Use Disorder

Patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) and associated complexities are presenting to hospitals in increasing numbers. Preparation of perianesthesia nurses caring for this patient population has lagged, with noted deficits in continuing education, resources, and role support. Previous research found education without considering therapeutic attitude (TA), empowerment and factors that influence nursing practice does not translate into feelings of competence in nursing care. The purpose of this study was to identify correlates and predictors that affect TA and empowerment among perianesthesia nurses caring for patients with OUD. A cross-sectional, correlation design was used to identify correlates and predictors of TA and empowerment in a national sample of perianesthesia nurses (N=215) METHODS: A national survey collected data from perianesthesia nurses. The Perianesthesia Nurse Empowerment and Therapeutic Attitude Model was the guiding framework. Pearson product-moment correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to examine relationships between personal factors, the professional practice environment and societal factors of perianesthesia nurses. The standardized regression coefficients indicated the professional practice environment (β=-0.28), drug user stigma (β=0.27), access to a pain specialist (β=0.25), and exposure to drug users (β=0.25) were the strongest predictors of TA. Access to a pain specialist (β=-0.15) and the professional practice environment (β=0.72) were the strongest predictors of empowerment. The professional practice environment directly influenced the degree of empowerment and TA reported by perianesthesia nurses. Exposure to persons with OUD and personal stigmatization of persons who misuse drugs decreased TA but had no association with empowerment. Access to a pain specialist was moderately predictive of empowerment and negatively associated with TA suggesting a lack of role legitimacy and the need for further research into perianesthesia nurses' perceptions of their role when caring for this population.

Overcoming Stigma of Mental Illness in Paramedicine: A Model for Future Practice

Introduction Mental health presentations are a rapidly growing proportion of cases seen by paramedics, often at the frontline of care delivery. How paramedics perceive persons with mental illness is vital, as their experiences in providing care can significantly impact decision-making. This article investigates these experiences and how they may influence patient care. Methods This qualitative descriptive research was conducted with two focus groups of six operational paramedics, and the data recorded and transcribed. The team closely examined the data using thematic analysis through a symbolic interactionist lens to identify, analyse, and interpret patterns of meaning within transcribed data. After thematic analysis, a model for future practice was generated, which pictorially demonstrates the overlap of common themes. Results Five themes ultimately were identified that were profoundly important to the paramedics within the focus groups. Paramedics have varying experiences when caring for people with mental illness. They are empathetic towards the circumstances of the person with mental illness. They perceive that the Stigmatisation of persons with mental illness occurs in some cases. Paramedics are also affected in their clinical decision-making by their training and education and by the profession's cultural influences. Conclusion The Stigmatisation of people with mental illness is apparent in paramedic practice. Despite mental illness being a common presenting problem, paramedics feel underprepared and have difficulty treating those who need help. The patients’ behaviour can often be reflected in the conduct of paramedics. The impact of burnout due to high exposure to people with mental illness, especially in metropolitan areas, may lead to decreased levels of empathy and compassion.

Reliability and Validity of the Perception of Stigma due to COVID-19 in Physicians

BackgroundThinking that they are being stigmatized can negatively affect the mental health of healthcare workers, whose workload has already increased during the epidemic. The aim of the study was to develop the ‘Perception of Stigma due to COVID-19 in Physicians' (PSCP) and to conduct a validity and reliability study.MethodsA 5-point Likert-type 23-item question pool was created. In order to evaluate the content validity, CGI and CGO were calculated by taking expert opinions and 18 items were selected. It was tested with 303 physicians in Turkey to determine the psychometric properties. In order to evaluate the reliability of the scale, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) analyzes, item analysis and test-retest reliability analysis were performed. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used for construct validity.ResultsOf the participants 59.1% were female. After analysis, the scale consisted of 10 items and 2 sub-dimensions. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.87 for the environmental stigmatization sub-dimension, 0.76 for the perception of personal stigmatization, and 0.88 for the whole scale. Scale items explained 61.56% of the total variance and factor loads varied between 0.66 and 0.85. Scale fit and fit index were found to be acceptable as a result of CFA. Pearson correlation coefficient calculated for test-retest reliability was 0.63, and intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.70 (95% CI 0.38-0.86, p: 0.001). In the final, the total score that can be taken from the scale was between 0-50. The mean total score obtained from the scale was 24.3 ± 7.9. Of the physicians 46.9% scored above the average. It was accepted that as the score obtained from the scale increased, the level of perception of stigma caused by COVID-19 increased in physicians.ConclusionsPSCP is a valid and reliable tool for assessing perception of COVID-19-induced stigma in healthcare workers.Key messages The scale developed is a tool that can be used in studies aimed at evaluating the stigma perceptions caused by COVID-19 in physicians.During the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians' level of stigma perception obtained with the PSCP scale was high.

Predictors and outcomes of experienced and anticipated discrimination in patients treated for depression: A 2-year longitudinal study

Stigma is both common and associated with greater depressive morbidity in depressives. Surprisingly few longitudinal studies have explored the predictors and consequences of stigma and discrimination. A total of 230 patients with depression who were commencing treatment were enrolled. Experienced and anticipated discrimination were assessed using the Discrimination and Stigma Scale at the 1-year follow-up. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Clinical Global Impression Scale-Severity, Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) questionnaire, and Sheehan Disability Scale were administered at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years, to assess various depression outcomes. Baseline personality was evaluated using the Big Five Inventory-10. A previous depressive history and low agreeableness predicted experienced discrimination; a higher level of education, non-married status, and higher functional disability predicted anticipated discrimination. Higher-level experienced discrimination during the first year of treatment was significantly associated with poorer improvements in all six measured outcomes after 1 year of treatment, and again after 2 years of treatment (with the exception of the EQ-5D score). Higher anticipated discrimination was significantly associated with less improvement in the SOFAS scores after both 1 and 2 years of treatments. The study was a single-center work; this maximized consistency but may limit generalizability. Discrimination exerts negative effects on depression outcomes that can be predicted at the initiation of treatment. Interventional studies are required to prevent and manage stigmatization of persons with depression.

Stigmatization of people with alcohol use disorders: An updated systematic review of population studies.

We summarize research on the public stigmatization of persons with alcohol use disorder (AUD) in comparison with other mental health conditions and embed the results into a conceptual framework of the stigma process. We conducted a systematic search using Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed and PsycINFO (via Ovid), and Web of Science for population-based studies on the public stigma in AUD and at least 1 other mental health condition, published between October 1, 2010 and December 20, 2020, thus including all studies published since the last systematic review on this topic. The study is registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42020173054). We identified 20,561 records, of which 24 met the inclusion criteria, reporting results from 16 unique studies conducted in 9 different countries. Compared to substance-unrelated mental disorders, persons with AUD were generally less likely to be considered mentally ill, while they were perceived as being more dangerous and responsible for their condition. Further, the public desire for social distance was consistently higher for people with AUD. We found no consistent differences in the public stigma toward persons with AUD in comparison with other substance use disorders. The stigmatization of persons with AUD remains comparatively high and is distinct from that of other substance-unrelated disorders.

Coping with Everyday Life for Home-Dwelling Persons with Dementia: A Qualitative Study.

AimThis study aimed to gain insight into factors that influence everyday coping strategies as described by persons with early to intermediate dementia.BackgroundLiving with dementia presents difficulties coping with everyday life. This study focuses on coping with everyday life for persons with mild to moderate dementia in order to facilitate their ability to live at home.DesignA qualitative study.MethodsIndividual interviews with 12 persons with dementia were conducted in their own homes.FindingsCoping with everyday life can be influenced by the experience of the diagnostic process and by information about dementia. It can also be affected by stigmatization of persons with dementia, as well as by challenges in everyday life. In addition, challenges in receiving help may include poor continuity of services and healthcare staff with limited competence. By contrast, person-centered care led to positive experiences that supported everyday coping skills. Most of the respondents wanted to participate in day care several days a week. Other positive experiences were making new friends and participating in meaningful activities; such experiences could enhance to coping strategies.ConclusionTo strengthen everyday coping for persons with dementia living at home, there is a need for openness about the disease. Follow-up for persons with dementia must be carried out by reputable professionals trained and educated in dementia care. Finally, the municipalities must have contact persons, dementia coordinator/-team, who are available for persons with dementia at the time of diagnosis position and afterwards.

Foreign agents in Russia: How a borrowed American legal institute acquired a different sense in Russian legislation and law enforcement practices

The article examines the institution of a “foreign agent” that appeared in Russian legislation in 2012. The author, analyzing American legislation, the position of the Venice Commission, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (hereinafter — the OSCE/ODIHR), the decisions of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, as well as the existing Russian judicial practice, comes to the conclusion that ’misappropriation’ status of a foreign agent by the Ministry of Justice of Russia for non-profit organizations (hereinafter — NPOs) occurs in the absence of clear legal definition of the term “political activity”, does not correlate with the identification of the real connection and activities of NPOs on the order or instruction of a foreign donor, and is actually applied in those cases when it comes to appeals to government agencies, criticism of government agencies or assessment of their decisions. All this indicates that the purpose of the restrictions imposed by the state was by no means a desire to ensure transparency and openness through access to information about foreign financing of non-profit organizations, but rather the purpose was to politically stigmatize and impose additional organizational and financial burdens on NPOs, which dare to criticize the authorities. The author advocates the complete abolition of this institution of a foreign agent, since the pre-existing Russian legislation already made it possible to exercise control over the financing and activities of NPOs. The expansion of the number of types of foreign agents, introduced since December 2019 (first in terms of recognition by media as foreign agents), led by December 2020 to the appearance in Russian legislation of individuals of foreign agents and foreign agents-unregistered public associations and even greater and disproportionate restrictions on the constitutional the right to association. Moreover, the status of a “foreign agent” (in relation to a candidate for an elective office and a candidate affiliated with an acting foreign agent) is supposed to be introduced into the electoral legislation with the obvious goal of political stigmatization of persons trying to exercise their passive electoral right.

Mapping changes in the obesity stigma discourse through Obesity Canada: a content analysis.

BackgroundStigmatization of persons living with obesity is an important public health issue. In 2015, Obesity Canada adopted person-first language in all internal documentation produced by the organization, and, from 2017, required all authors to use person-first language in abstract submissions to Obesity Canada hosted conferences. The impact of this intentional shift in strategic focus is not known. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a content analysis of proceedings at conferences hosted by Obesity Canada to identify whether or how constructs related to weight bias and obesity stigma have changed over time.MethodsOf 1790 abstracts accepted to conferences between 2008–2019, we excluded 353 abstracts that featured animal or cellular models, leaving 1437 abstracts that were reviewed for the presence of five constructs of interest and if they changed over time: 1) use of person-first versus use of disease-first terminology, 2) incorporation of lived experience of obesity, 3) weight bias and stigma, 4) aggressive or alarmist framing and 5) obesity framed as a modifiable risk factor versus as a disease. We calculated and analyzed through linear regression: 1) the overall frequency of use of each construct over time as a proportion of the total number of abstracts reviewed, and 2) the ratio of abstracts where the construct appeared at least once based on the total number of abstracts.ResultsWe found a significant positive correlation between use of person-first language in abstracts and time (R2 = 0.51, p < 0.01 for frequency, R2 = 0.65, p < 0.05 for ratio) and a corresponding negative correlation for the use of disease-first terminology (R2 = 0.48, p = 0.01 for frequency, R2 = 0.75, p < 0.001 for ratio). There was a significant positive correlation between mentions of weight bias and time (R2 = 0.53 and 0.57, p < 0.01 for frequency and ratio respectively).ConclusionUse of person-first language and attention to weight bias increased, while disease-first terminology decreased in accepted abstracts over the past 11 years since Obesity Canada began hosting conferences and particularly since more explicit actions for expectations to use person-first language were put in place in 2015 and 2017.

A single dose of rifampicin to prevent leprosy; quantitative analysis of impact on perception, attitudes and behaviour of persons affected, contacts and community members towards leprosy in India, Nepal and Indonesia

Introduction: This study looked at the effect of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with single-dose rifampicin (SDR) and the education given along with SDR-PEP on stakeholders’ perception regarding leprosy. It is a side study of the Leprosy Postexposure Prophylaxis (LPEP) Program. Methods: The study was done in LPEP implementation areas in India, Nepal and Indonesia. A before and after survey design was used, with qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. This paper presents the quantitative results. In each country 100 interviews were held with representatives of leprosy patients, contacts and community members, before and 1-1.5 years after starting the LPEP Program. Three tools were used: a knowledge, attitudes and practices questionnaire, EMIC community stigma scale and social distance scale (SDS). Results: The most notable effect at follow-up was increased knowledge regarding leprosy in all stakeholder groups, especially leprosy patients. A positive effect was seen on how people think about persons affected by leprosy, reflected by the lower SDS scores in the contact groups in India and Nepal. No negative effects were found on people’s perception and reported behaviour. Participants did express or perceive reluctance to disclose a person’s leprosy status, but this did not negatively affect willingness to participate in the LPEP Program. Conclusion: This study showed that implementation of SDR-PEP and accompanied education led to increased knowledge on leprosy among patients, contacts and community members and it had no negative effect on perception. SDR-PEP implementation provides an opportunity for health education, including messages to help reduce stigmatisation of persons affected by leprosy.

'True crime' stories and psychiatrists' ethical responsibilities.

In May 2018, a small paperback book was published, which briefly described 10 cases of persons charged with murder whom an Australian psychiatrist had assessed for the court. This article considers the ethical issues raised by identifying both the persons charged with murder and their victims in newspaper articles and interviews to promote a book. When persons who have committed homicide are named in a 'true crime' book, their recovery trajectory may be prejudiced and the families of their victims may be re-traumatised. Such publications may also contribute to the stigmatisation of persons with mental illness who commit serious offences. Respect for the dignity of the person is fundamental to the ethical practice of forensic report-writing. There can never be any implied agreement or consent that a psychiatrist who writes a report for the court can also use the material in a book written for profit. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Code of Ethics includes several principles relevant to psychiatrists who write medico-legal reports. Psychiatrists should carefully consider the ethical issues raised in publishing outside of textbooks and professional journals and engaging with the lay media.

Disability & Diversity studies as a professional basis for diversity-aware education and training in medicine.

The “Disability and Diversity Studies“ (DDS) are research fields which, similar to social work, deal with social inclusion and exclusion processes. Dimensions of disability and diversity can lead to disadvantages and inequalities in the individual life and social coexistence of people. The DDS examine these inequalities and identify intersectional relationships between diversity categories. The concept of intersectionality opens up the view of the restriction of diversities, which can lead to the intensification of inequalities and multiple discriminations: e. g., in the case of being a woman and member of an ethnic minority. The starting point is therefore not the difference category per se, but the intersection of several categories [5]. This knowledge of categorizing classification and exclusion in their intersectionality is fundamental for the dissolution of social, societal, political and economic inequality. The DDS bachelor's program at the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, which combines Disability and Diversity Studies, focuses on these research areas and develops practical solutions.In medical education and training, too, it is essential that teachers and students, but also patients, recognise the complex interrelationships of divergences in medical practice and the resulting stigma that must be removed. The DDS can serve as a basis for taking these interrelationships into account, for incorporating creative approaches to solutions and a diversity-sensitive attitude into the doctor-patient relationship and medical treatment. For example, the first and so far only World Report on Disability from 2011 noted a still existing negative infiltration of doctor-patient-interactions through stigmatization of persons with disabilities and deviations. Misunderstandings, lack of knowledge and wrong presettings can endanger the treatment [32].In order to create the framework conditions for an appropriate consideration of diversity and disability in the program, it is necessary to impart six core competencies to prospective physicians [20]: If possible, this should always be designed in the respective training courses of all health care professions in a patient-centred manner, across all occupational groups and under the premise “nothing for us without us“ [1]. This corresponds to the principles of Disability Studies.

Concept of overweight bias among healthcare professionals: An evolutionary concept analysis.

The aim of this concept analysis was to identify the attributes of overweight bias among healthcare providers (HCPs) and create a clear definition to guide the recognition of overweight bias among HCPs. Settings within the healthcare system are not exempt from bias and the stigmatization of persons with obesity. Overweight bias among HCPs may negatively impact health care and health outcomes. Rodger's evolutionary method was used to guide this concept analysis. The databases CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO were searched. The analysis provided clarification of the concept to facilitate HCP self-awareness of overweight bias. A definition of the concept of overweight bias among HCPs is provided along with its attributes, antecedents, and consequences.

Housing Stigmatization: A General Theory

This article treats housing stigmatization as a social process of symbolic ascription, connected to inhabitants, housing form, housing tenure, and/or housing location. Stigmatization research tends to focus on personal stigmatization, or to examine housing only in relation to territorial stigmatization, while housing research tends to focus on health and policy. This article demonstrates that housing stigmatization, which is differentiated from personal stigmatization and territorial stigmatization, is a viable unit of analysis in its own right for stigma research. Seven core elements are identified, showing that housing stigmatization is: (1) relational; (2) contextual; (3) processual; (4) reinforceable; (5) reversible; (6) morally loaded; and (7) treated as contagious. Comprehending the elements of housing stigmatization will benefit destigmatization efforts.

Why work it when you can dodge it? Identity responses to ethnic stigma among professionals

Culturally different professionals often encounter stigma as they negotiate work lives. Professionals commonly seek to repair stigmatized identities by constructing more positive and relatively coherent self-views. This study draws on interview, observation and diary data from Romanian professionals in the UK, in order to understand how they construct their identities when faced with ethno-cultural stigma. We find that these professionals engage in counterintuitive identity responses which consist of simultaneously denying and acknowledging personal stigmatization (doublethink), and evading engagement with the stigmatized identity (dodging). Unlike the restorative identity work highlighted by previous studies, these atypical responses require less effort, provide less coherence and do not attempt to restore the blemished ethno-cultural identity. Our analyses further indicate that being professional and being White confer on individuals privileges that sustain doublethink and dodging. We contribute to scholarship by underscoring the need to consider both stigmatized and privileged identities when investigating reactions to stigma. We also reflect on the practical implications for organizations of what it means for stigmatized individuals to deny stigmatization or to dodge engagement with stigma.