Structural Levels of Mental Illness Stigma and Discrimination

TLDR

Current stigma models focus on individual psychology, whereas structural discrimination—both intentional and unintentional policies—also limits opportunities for people with mental illness. The article applies a sociological perspective to extend stigma theory by incorporating structural discrimination and examines its implications and methodological challenges. The authors define intentional and unintentional structural discrimination and illustrate each with contemporary examples.

Abstract

Most of the models that currently describe processes related to mental illness stigma are based on individual-level psychological paradigms. In this article, using a sociological paradigm, we apply the concepts of structural discrimination to broaden our understanding of stigmatizing processes directed at people with mental illness. Structural, or institutional, discrimination includes the policies of private and governmental institutions that intentionally restrict the opportunities of people with mental illness. It also includes major institutions' policies that are not intended to discriminate but whose consequences nevertheless hinder the options of people with mental illness. After more fully defining intentional and unintentional forms of structural discrimination, we provide current examples of each. Then we discuss the implications of structural models for advancing our understanding of mental illness stigma, including the methodological challenges posed by this paradigm.