Stigma Resistance by Adult Self-Advocates With Intellectual Disabilities.

BACKGROUND

People with intellectual disabilities continue to experience stigmatisation, yet little is known about how they manage or resist stigma. The present study aimed to qualitatively explore stigma resistance, including barriers to and facilitators of stigma resistance, from the perspective of self-advocates with intellectual disabilities.

METHOD: Sixteen adult self-advocates participated in semi-structured virtual interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse interview transcripts.

RESULTS

Four themes were identified: (i) asserting oneself, (ii) speaking out, (iii) using lived experience to drive change and (iv) strengthening positive identities. Perceived barriers and facilitators were linked to personal and environmental factors.

CONCLUSIONS

This study advances our knowledge of how people with intellectual disabilities resist stigma. Although the research highlights the importance of individual and collective resistance, it also reminds us that work must still be done to tackle stigma within the institutional and social structures where power imbalances prevail.