Intersectionality, Gender, and the Self-Stigma of Mental Illness

Introduction: This study sought to examine self-stigma at the intersection of two identities: mental illness and gender. Methods: Using an MTurk panel, 100 self-identified men and women with and without mental illness (total N = 400) completed the Difference and Disdain Self-Stigma Scale. Results: Significant effects were found for mental illness (participants with mental illness reported greater perceptions of being different from the population and disdain themselves because of that) but not for gender or the interaction. Discussion: Failure to find intersectionality may reflect classic findings from social psychological research that suggests people do not necessarily diminish self-esteem because of socio-demographic identity (I am a woman or African American). Future studies need to test for an intersection effect for public stigma.