Effect of Stigma and Concealment on Avoidant-Oriented Friendship Goals

In this research, we propose a hypothesized model that outlines pathways by which stigma impacts interpersonal behavior within close relationships through avoidant-oriented friendship goals. We also examine how stigma concealment moderates the extent to which these avoidant goals are activated. In Study 1, among people with mental illness (PWMI), the relationship between internalized stigma and self-silencing was mediated by avoidant-oriented friendship goals. In Study 2, experimentally making stigmatized identity salient increased the endorsement of avoidant-oriented friendship goals, particularly for people relatively high in concealment. Collectively, these studies highlight a social dilemma encountered by PWMI; what may be adaptive regulatory responses to stigmatization can motivate behavior that has negative effects in close relationships.