Perceived occupational stigma and coping strategies

Abstract

The present research investigated relations between perceived occupational stigma and their attributes, the coping strategies of those affected by occupational stigma, and the effects of perceived stigma on global and occupational self-esteem mediated by coping strategies. Data from 501 respondents, a representative set of data stratified by age and gender, showed that (a) approximately 10% of the respondents perceived themselves as occupationally stigmatized, (b) low-income men, especially young or contingent workers, were apt to show awareness of their occupational stigma, (c) five coping strategies in particular (Re-evaluation, Group identification, Social comparison, Attribution of discrimination, and Disengagement) were common, (d) group identification positively enhanced occupational self-esteem in persons who perceived occupational stigma strongly. Lastly, the characteristics of the coping strategies and issues for further research were discussed.