The Impact of Multiple Forms of Discrimination on Mental Health and Well-Being

Abstract

Living with multiple stigmatized identities can have distinct effects on psychological life. Although previous research indicates that living with multiple stigmatized identities can have a negative impact on quality of life, other research posits that living with multiple stigmatized identities can have a positive impact on life. Given these findings, the present study examined if multi-stigmatized adults are at greater risk for poor mental health and well-being compared to those who are more privileged in regard to race and gender. An exploratory quasi-experimental study was conducted to assess discrimination, depression, anxiety, stress, and self-esteem in racial and gender minority individuals by using a variety of scales. Results indicated that multi-stigmatized individuals experienced more depression, lower self-esteem, and more discrimination in comparison to individuals with one form of stigmatization, but this difference was not statistically significant. However, multi-stigmatized individuals experienced less stress and anxiety in comparison to singularly stigmatized individuals. Implications for existing theories are discussed.