The Social Work Podcast 13: Interview with Kya Conner: Stigma and Social Work
Mar 15, 2007
Kya Conner, a doctoral candidate and licensed social worker at the University of Pittsburgh, delves into the complexities of stigma in mental health and aging. She explains the components of stigma, how it varies across cultures, and the compounding effects experienced by marginalized groups. Kya highlights the impact of visible conditions and uncontrollable circumstances on stigma and discusses the importance of social workers addressing these barriers. She also shares insights from her research on race, age, and internalized stigma, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.
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Stigma Is A Multi-Component Social Process
- Stigma combines stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination into a single social process.
- It requires recognition of difference and a subsequent devaluation or behavioral response.
Stigma Varies By Culture And Time
- Stigma is socially constructed and varies by culture and historical period.
- What is stigmatized in one culture or era (e.g., aging, cancer) may not be in another.
Three Types Of Stigma And Moral Blame
- Goffman categorized stigma into body abominations, character blemishes, and tribal identities.
- Character blemishes (e.g., mental illness, addiction) often carry the strongest moral blame.