Distancing from a stigmatized social identity: State of the art and future research agenda on self‐group distancing

• DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.2714
• Publication Date: 2020-11-27T19:01:00Z
• Authors: Ruth van Veelen; Jenny Veldman; Colette Van Laar; Belle Derks
• Keywords: Social distance; Distancing; Collective identity

Abstract Despite equal rights, minority groups such as ethnic minorities, LGBTQ + people, and people with mental or physical disabilities face discrimination on a day‐to‐day basis in subtle hard‐to‐recognize forms. As slips beneath the surface, it becomes difficult to fight stigma using collective social identity coping mechanisms. Instead, individual mobility responses distancing self from stigmatized (“self‐group distancing”) become more viable way improve one's standing. In this overview of state art, we take lens reflect current empirical knowledge base self‐group mechanism provide framework what is; when, where why likely occurs; its consequences are at level. The contributions special issue novel insights into how these processes unfold, serve set future research agenda, for example can be done prevent (i.e., interventions). Together, highlight that while may seem effective (strategically temporarily) alleviate discomfort own position, broader level over time tends keep unequal hierarchy place.