On the Protective Role of Identification with a Stigmatized Identity: Promoting Engagement and Discouraging Disengagement Coping Strategies

We examined the mechanisms by which identification with a stigmatized ingroup impacts well-being in stigmatized groups. The first three studies were conducted among gay men and lesbians in Europe and North America. Results support the idea that identification with homosexuals protects well-being by decreasing attempts at self-group distancing. Pursuit of self-group distancing was negatively related to well-being (studies 1 to 3a, N=1055). Other coping strategies were associated with identification but had no relationship with well-being. Identification was positively related to engagement coping strategies, namely, collective action, group affirmation and ingroup support, and negative related to disengagement strategies: ingroup blaming and avoidance of discrimination. A fourth study (study 3b) examined these mechanisms among Black North Americans (N=203). Again, identification was positively related to engagement strategies, and negatively related to disengagement; however, only collective action (positively) predicted well-being. Results are discussed in terms of how the effectiveness of different strategies for coping with stigma will differ depending on qualities of the identities in question and the specifics of the intergroup context