Perceived stigma, self-esteem and social comparison of people with intellectual disability

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between self-esteem, perceived stigma and social comparison of persons with intellectual disabilities. The sample consisted of 100 persons with mild and moderate intellectual disability, aged 18 years and older, of different sexes, with or without stigmatized characteristics, who lived in an institution or in a family. We used questionnaires of Perceived stigma, Adapted Scale of Social Comparison and Adapted Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The results showed relatively low level of perceived stigma in people with ID (AS=5.15). Respondents showed a moderately positive level of general self-esteem, moderately high positive self- esteem and less pronounced negative self- esteem. When compared with people with ID respondents evaluate themselves more positively then when compared with persons of general population. Marginally significant, low negative correlation between general selfesteem and perceived stigma was established. It was observed that negative self-esteem correlates with perceived stigmatization while between positive self-esteem and perceived stigma correlation was not established. Self- esteem was not linked to any type of social comparisons except the subscale Achivement when compared to persons with ID. The perceived stigma also did not correlate with any type of social comparison. Perception of stigma is predicative of self-esteem and indicates its importance in the lives of people with ID. Although most persons with ID managed to maintain a high level of self-esteem despite the negative experiences of stigmatization, concerns remain regarding the quality of life and mental health problems in people with ID who have low self-esteem