Disclosure of a stigmatized identity: A qualitative study of the reasons why people choose to tell or not tell others about their traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Disclosure can have important advantages and disadvantages. Some people with a TBI may need support in making optimal decisions about disclosure.

Enhancing Student Disclosure: Australia’s Invisible Equity Students and Reasons for Nondisclosure in Australia’s Tertiary Sector

“…Overall, Olney and Brockerman (2003) found that disclosure involves an "intricate decision-making process about revealing disability information". Riley and Hagger (2015) interviewed 10 people of various ages who had suffered from a traumatic brain injury. They identify six reasons for nondisclosure: fears of negative reactions from others, feelings of shame, avoidance of emotional upset about the incident causing the injury, feelings that others were not interested in their injury, perceptions that the stress of disclosing their injury to others outweighed the benefits and a desire to fit in as a person without a brain injury-or in other words, not wanting a traumatic brain injury to define them and to isolate them socially.…”

The social consequences of stigma-related self-concealment after acquired brain injury

“…The general public can be rejecting and prejudicial in its response to brain injury and the difficulties that the person may have (i.e. stigmatizing attitudes and enacted stigma) (Jones, Jetten, Haslam, & Williams, 2012;Karlovits & McColl, 1999;Nochi, 1998;Riley & Hagger, 2015). For example, participants in the study by Riley and Hagger (2015) described being ridiculed by children in the street and by colleagues at work because of their disabilities.…”

“…stigmatizing attitudes and enacted stigma) (Jones, Jetten, Haslam, & Williams, 2012;Karlovits & McColl, 1999;Nochi, 1998;Riley & Hagger, 2015). For example, participants in the study by Riley and Hagger (2015) described being ridiculed by children in the street and by colleagues at work because of their disabilities. There is evidence of anticipated stigma (Baldwin, Powell, & Lorenc, 2011;Karlovits & McColl, 1999;Nochi, 1998;Riley, Brennan, & Powell, 2004;Riley & Hagger, 2015;Shorland & Douglas, 2010).…”

“…For example, participants in the study by Riley and Hagger (2015) described being ridiculed by children in the street and by colleagues at work because of their disabilities. There is evidence of anticipated stigma (Baldwin, Powell, & Lorenc, 2011;Karlovits & McColl, 1999;Nochi, 1998;Riley, Brennan, & Powell, 2004;Riley & Hagger, 2015;Shorland & Douglas, 2010). For example, some of the participants in the study by Baldwin et al reported a reluctance to use memory aids such as post-it notes because of concerns about the negative reactions that their use might elicit in other people.…”

“…For example, some of the participants in the study by Baldwin et al reported a reluctance to use memory aids such as post-it notes because of concerns about the negative reactions that their use might elicit in other people. Internalized stigma has also been reported, with people reporting that they feel ashamed and embarrassed about their ABI (Crisp, 1993;Riley et al, 2004;Riley & Hagger, 2015;Simpson, Mohr & Redman, 2000). Stigmatizing attitudes and enacted stigma may undermine relationships after ABI by making others unwilling to associate with people with an ABI and by impairing the quality of the interactions that they do have; and there is evidence that people with ABI can be anxious and avoidant of social interaction because of anticipated stigma (Curvis, Simpson, & Hampson, in press a;Jones et al, 2012;Riley et al, 2004;Riley & Hagger, 2015;Simpson et al, 2000).…”