Is There a Relationship Between Experiences of Workplace Discrimination and Self-Stigmatization Among Mental Health Peer Support Workers?

• Main Author: King, Nicole
• Format: Others
• Published: Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University 2020
• Subjects: Other Psychology; Psychology; Social Psychology
• Online Access: https://dc.etsu.edu/honors/552; https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1665&context=honors

This thesis aimed to explore whether a statistically significant relationship existed between experiences of workplace discrimination and self-stigmatization among mental health peer support workers. This relationship has not previously been explored in this group. The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI) was used to measure self-stigmatization, and a 3-measure scale adapted by Stromwall, Holley and Bashor (2011), alongside a newly created measure, were used to assess perceived workplace discrimination. The sample was a convenience sample of 20 participants. The researcher expected a positive correlation between workplace discrimination and self-stigmatization. Ultimately, no statistically significant relationship was found between the two factors. However, there appeared to be some convergent validity between the new measure of workplace discrimination and the existing measure, as well as the ISMI Discrimination Experiences subscale.