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This Presidential Address offers elements for a systematic and cumulative study of destigmatization, or the process by which low-status groups gain recognition and worth. Contemporary sociologists tend to focus on inequality in the distribution of resources, such as occupations, education, and wealth. Complementing this research, this address draws attention to “recognition gaps,” defined as disparities in worth and cultural membership between groups in a society. I first describe how neoliberalism promotes growing recognition gaps. Then, drawing on research on stigmatized groups across several societies, I analyze how experiences of stigma and destigmatization are enabled and constrained by various contextual factors and actors, including institutions, cultural repertoires, knowledge workers, and social movement activists. I conclude by proposing a research agenda for the sociology of recognition and destigmatization, and by sketching how social scientists, policymakers, organizations, and citizens can contribute to the reduction of recognition gaps.

IntroductionPeople with mental disorder can share negative stereotypes, related to mental disorders. This might cause self-stigmatization, which is negatively related to quality of life and compliance with treatment. This self-stigmatization can be non-conscious or implicit, which might complicate it detection and further therapy.ObjectivesIn present study we investigated the role of values in implicit self-stigmatization among 40 women diagnosed with schizophrenia (mean age 23.77 years ±6).MethodsParticipants completed the Portrait Value Questionnaire (Schwartz, 2003) and two brief implicit association tests (BIAT), measuring implicit self-esteem and attitudes towards mental disorders (Corrigan et al., 2010). The results of two BIATs were combined as a measure of implicit self-stigmatization.ResultsA linear regression model was built. Four values (self-enhancement, self-transcendence, openness to change and conservation values) were entered as independent variables, while implicit self-stigmatization – as dependent variable. It was found that self-transcendence values were marginally negatively related to implicit self-stigmatization (b=-.122, β=-.398, SE=.064, p=.067), while other values were not significantly related to it (ps>.125).ConclusionsSelf-transcendence values – values related to the well-being of others, which include tolerance, altruism and protection for the welfare of all people and for nature – are negatively related to implicit or non-conscious self-stigmatization. This finding, although marginally significant, is in line with previous studies. Previous studies showed that self-transcendence values are also negatively associated with explicit or conscious self-stigmatization (Lannin et al., 2020). Thus, these values can be targets for programs which aim to decrease self-stigmatization tendencies among patients with mental illness.

Weight stigma is rooted in a fundamental misunderstanding of the origins of obesity, wherein the interplay of behavioral, environmental, genetic, and metabolic factors is deemphasized. Instead, the widespread societal and cultural presence of weight stigma fosters misconceptions of obesity being solely a result of unhealthy personal choices. Weight stigma is pervasive in childhood and adolescence and can affect individuals throughout their life. Although the prevalence of pediatric obesity remains high throughout the world, it becomes increasingly important to understand how weight stigma affects weight and health outcomes in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity, including in those with rare genetic diseases of obesity. We identified and reviewed recent literature (primarily published since 2000) on weight stigma in the pediatric setting. Articles were identified with search terms including pediatric obesity, weight bias, weight stigma, weight-based teasing and bullying, and weight bias in health care. In this narrative review, we discuss the stigma of pediatric obesity as it relates to the complex etiology of obesity as well as describe best practices for avoiding bias and perpetuating stigma in the health care setting.

The analysis shows that empirical social science studies examining psychological and social characteristics of conspiracy belief are characterized by a persistent deficit orientation, with a strong tendency to pathologize or stigmatize individuals. The core of this research is an empirical content analysis of 25 social sciences studies published between 2020 and 2025.The analysis identifies a set of recurring patterns in the academic representation of conspiracy believers, including associations with cognitive, social, and psychological deficits, emotional instability, and maladaptive personality traits. The dynamics of marginalization become particularly evident through the examination of discursive practices of delegitimization, which are further sustained by the selective interpretation of research findings.While some studies acknowledge structural or societal factors that may foster conspiracy beliefs, the narrative remains predominantly individualizing and negative. The findings highlight an ambivalence in the scholarly discourse: although conspiracy beliefs are recognized as complex, multidimensional, and sometimes rooted in legitimate grievances, they are frequently reduced to markers of irrationality or deviance. This suggests the need for greater reflexivity within the scientific community, particularly regarding language, methodological choices, and the balance between critique and stigmatization.

We offer a framework to assess marketing activities for their relationship to human rights, grounded in the recognition that respect for dignity—the inalienable, inherent, and equal value possessed by all humans—is at their core. Drawing from historical and recent thought in philosophy, management and medicine, we focus on three factors of dignity: recognition, agency and equity. We then integrate academic research from our own field as the basis of a marketing-specific conceptualization of dignity, offering a list of assessment questions for firms desiring to integrate dignity into their marketing activities. Given the nascent state of research on dignity in marketing, we also propose a set of questions for future inquiry. We close with three case studies that highlight organizations’ success or failure in affirming dignity in areas relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals, and offer an invitation to esearchers to partner with global dignity-centric organizations to continue this work across cultures and challenges.

Background Long COVID patients have experienced a decline in their quality of life due to, in part but not wholly, its negative emotional impact. Some of the most prevalent mental health symptoms presented by long COVID patients are anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. As such, the need has arisen to analyze the personal experiences of these patients to understand how they are managing their daily lives while dealing with the condition. The objective of this study is to increase understanding about the emotional well-being of people diagnosed with long COVID. Methods A qualitative design was created and carried out using 35 patients, with 17 participants being interviewed individually and 18 of them taking part in two focus groups. The participating patients were recruited in November and December 2021 from Primary Health Care (PHC) centers in the city of Zaragoza (Northern Spain) and from the Association of Long COVID Patients in Aragon. The study topics were emotional well-being, social support networks, and experience of discrimination. All an inductive thematic content analyses were performed iteratively using NVivo software. Results The Long COVID patients identified low levels of self-perceived well-being due to their persistent symptoms, as well as limitations in their daily lives that had been persistent for many months. Suicidal thoughts were also mentioned by several patients. They referred to anguish and anxiety about the future as well as a fear of reinfection or relapse and returning to work. Many of the participants reported that they have sought the help of a mental health professional. Most participants identified discriminatory situations in health care. Conclusions It is necessary to continue researching the impact that Long COVID has had on mental health, as well as to provide Primary Health Care professionals with evidence that can guide the emotional treatment of these patients

Abstract Albinism is a relatively rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited condition still permeated by discrimination and stigmatization today. This research aimed to present the life experiences of people with albinism and their relationship with the condition, using their trajectories and narratives under a collective biography. Qualitative research was conducted using Merton’s focused interview techniques and snowball sampling method. The collective biography was built to show the group’s trajectory and experiences through an intertwined narrative of the participants’ statements. These people’s experiences were addressed in the dimensions of birth and family; adolescence and the school universe; the world of work and professional trajectory; healthcare and strategies for overcoming their condition. Throughout this group’s trajectory, prejudice and stigmatization are experiences lived from the moment of birth and continue throughout life. We conclude that the lack of information perpetuates stigmas around the condition and prevents these people from accessing accurate diagnoses and necessary care. This situation emphasizes the urgency of implementing public policies that address this group’s needs. Resumo O albinismo é uma condição relativamente rara, não contagiosa, herdada geneticamente e ainda hoje permeada por discriminação e estigmatização. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi apresentar as experiências de vida das pessoas com albinismo e sua relação com a enfermidade, utilizando suas trajetórias e narrativas, na forma de biografia coletiva. Realizou-se uma pesquisa qualitativa, com as técnicas de entrevista focada de Merton e amostragem pelo método bola de neve. A biografia coletiva do grupo foi construída de modo a trasladar a trajetória e experiências do grupo, por meio de uma narrativa entrelaçada das falas dos participantes. Foram abordadas as experiências dessas pessoas nas dimensões nascimento e família; adolescência e o universo escolar; o mundo do trabalho e a jornada profissional; o cuidado em saúde e as estratégias de superação da própria condição. Ao longo da trajetória desse grupo, o preconceito e a estigmatização são experiências vivenciadas desde o momento do nascimento e se prolongam por toda a vida. Conclui-se que a falta de informações não só perpetua estigmas em torno da condição, mas também impede que essas pessoas tenham acesso a diagnósticos precisos e aos cuidados necessários. Isso ressalta a urgência de implementar políticas públicas que abordem as necessidades desse grupo.

Treatments have been developed and tested to successfully reduce the symptoms and disabilities of many mental illnesses. Unfortunately, people distressed by these illnesses often do not seek out services or choose to fully engage in them. One factor that impedes care seeking and undermines the service system is mental illness stigma. In this article, we review the complex elements of stigma in order to understand its impact on participating in care. We then summarize public policy considerations in seeking to tackle stigma in order to improve treatment engagement. Stigma is a complex construct that includes public, self, and structural components. It directly affects people with mental illness, as well as their support system, provider network, and community resources. The effects of stigma are moderated by knowledge of mental illness and cultural relevance. Understanding stigma is central to reducing its negative impact on care seeking and treatment engagement. Separate strategies have evolved for counteracting the effects of public, self, and structural stigma. Programs for mental health providers may be especially fruitful for promoting care engagement. Mental health literacy, cultural competence, and family engagement campaigns also mitigate stigma's adverse impact on care seeking. Policy change is essential to overcome the structural stigma that undermines government agendas meant to promote mental health care. Implications for expanding the research program on the connection between stigma and care seeking are discussed.