Across the pregnancy lifespan: examining workplace outcomes of concealing across stages of pregnancy

Purpose The authors aims to use stigma theory to predict and test a model wherein a person’s stage of pregnancy influences their workplace outcomes associated with pregnancy concealment behaviors. Design/methodology/approach The authors tested the model using two separate survey studies, examining these relationships from the perspectives of both the pregnant employees and their supervisors. Findings The authors find support for the model across both studies, showing that concealment of a pregnant identity predicts increased discrimination, but only for those in later stages of pregnancy. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine how one’s stage of pregnancy impacts identity management outcomes. This is important given that pregnancy is an inherently dynamic stigma that becomes increasingly visible over time.

Influence of marriage on mental health: sociological studies review

The author substantiates the importance of sociological analysis of mental health factors in modern conditions through the example of married couples. The paper reveals the essence of sociological concepts (theory of stress, structural strain theory, stigma theory) in the study of mental health and factors that determine it. It is established that the theory of stress considers an individual’s current state of life and negative life events to be factors determining mental health. It also indicates high risks of mental illness in groups with a low socioeconomic status. The representatives of the structural strain theory qualify weak social support for others and weak individual control over life circumstances, along with unfavorable organization of social space, as significant factors in the deterioration of mental health. It is noted that, according to the stigma theory, mentally unhealthy people become victims of stigma since others identify them as deviants, expecting corresponding behavior. Based on the analysis of a number of studies, a conclusion is drawn about the effect of marriage on mental health indicators, regardless of gender. It is revealed that some researchers point to improvement in mental health in a short term, while others do not show such dependence at all. The key role of «quality of marriage» and spouses’ satisfaction with marriage in the formation and strengthening of their mental health is noted.

From aspiring saint to disillusioned rebel. Explaining change in the Polish narrative of European integration

This article conceptually draws on Bourdieu’s field theory and Goffman’s stigma theory to explain the evolution of Polish government’s official narrative on European integration. Narrative production by Polish authorities reveals a marked shift in strategy adopted to deal with the stigma (real or imagined) that structures Poland’s position in the EU field of power: from adaptive (corrective) to contesting strategy where stigma is embraced and transformed into a virtue. Empirically, this shift is illustrated with 3 examples of narrative production under crisis: 1) euro-zone crisis (Poland adapts to the dominant EU narrative and promotes its own austerity experience, while allying itself with the northern “saints” against the southern “sinners”); 2) migration crisis (Poland moves from adaptation to contestation, while narrating the “lack of solidarity” stigma as the responsible “normal”); 3) rule of law crisis (Poland consolidates its contestation strategy, while framing the dispute as a counter-measure from undemocratic EU centre to discipline “real” democrats in the periphery). Thus the narrative moves from contestation of a particular policy solution (migration quotas) to undermining normative bases of the European integration process.

The stigmatizing and stereotyping people with blindness. The opposite tendencies

The aim of the paper is to present aspects of stigmatizing and stereotyping the visually impaired people in the light of social stigma theory of Erving Goffman. Also discussed are the tendencies contrary to the phenomena of social stigma as well as the creation of simplified cognitive schemes related to people with blindness. These tendencies are for example: revision of common speech and cultural discourse to not to consolidate false image of people with blindness. At the end of the paper there are also presented practical tools and materials which can be useful in pedagogical practice.