Out With The Old, In With The New: A Nuanced Approach To Self-Stigma Among Veterans

Abstract

Application of the prominent Corrigan and Watson (2002) self-stigma model to treatment modalities among civilians with mental illness, has been linked to the development of efficacious interventions and positive outcomes. Few intervention studies to reduce veteran self-stigma exist, but even fewer studies apply the Corrigan and Watson (2002) model to the veteran experience. Applying this model to veterans, may yield additional insight into factors driving self-stigma. In addition, contextual factors such as identity development, military cultural values, and familial concerns are shown in recent research to impact stigma, but have not yet been accounted for collectively in veteran selfstigma processes. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to apply the Corrigan and Watson (2002) model with nuanced contextual factors to develop a model that explicates the veteran self-stigma process. The authors conducted a constant-comparative method between the Corrigan and Watson (2002) self-stigma model and a variation of a stigma model among military personnel with mental illness. The corresponding similarities, differences, and any unaccounted factors, were applied collectively to the context of veterans and help-seeking. The model developed from this study suggests the veteran self-stigma process contains three components: 1) resistance, 2) differentiate, and 3) protect. The newly generated proposed model, is meant to disseminate novel issues that compound the effects of veteran self-stigma. Future research should assess the adequacy of this model, if it is consistent with the lived experience of veterans, and should develop interventions that target the corresponding issues within each component.