Assume that everyone is fighting a hard battle…
Monday, May 6, 2024.
Imagine a world where sharing our deepest struggles was not just accepted, but encouraged.
In this parallel universe, a public sense of empathy reigns supreme. What would it look like if we all revealed our secret battles?
Research suggests that revealing stigmatized identities, such as mental health issues or hidden disabilities, can lead to reduced psychological stress.
A study found that disclosing hidden struggles, like depression, anxiety, neurodiversity, or non-obvious physical health problems, can actually improve life satisfaction. Those who shared non-visible stigmas also experienced less anxiety at work and greater job satisfaction in the long run.
However, the same positive effects were not observed for people with stigmatized identities that were clearly visible.
Dr. Eden King, a co-author of the study, noted that identities that are immediately observable operate differently than concealable ones.
She stated, “Identities that are immediately observable operate differently than those that are concealable. The same kinds of difficult decisions about whether or not to disclose the identity — not to mention the questions of to whom, how, when and where to disclose those identities — are probably less central to their psychological experiences.”
How the study was conducted
The study, which reviewed 65 separate studies on the topic, found that most people were supportive when others revealed their hidden stigmas.
However, this positive reaction was not as strong for identities that were clearly visible.
Dr. King explained that people may react negatively to those who express or draw attention to stigmas that are clearly visible, such as race or gender, viewing it as a form of advocacy or heightened pride in one's identity.
She added, “People react negatively to those who express or call attention to stigmas that are clearly visible to others, such as race or gender, as this may be seen as a form of advocacy or heightened pride in one’s identity.”
This intriguing study was published in the Journal of Business and Psychology (Sabat et al., 2019). So, while we may not live in a universe where everyone openly shares their struggles, it's clear that being open about hidden stigmas can have positive effects on our well-being.
This man beside us also has a hard fight with an unfavouring world, with strong temptations, with doubts and fears, with wounds of the past which have skinned over, but which smart when they are touched.
It is a fact, however surprising. And when this occurs to us we are moved to deal kindly with him, to bid him be of good cheer, to let him understand that we are also fighting a battle; we are bound not to irritate him, nor press hardly upon him nor help his lower self. John Watson. 1903.
Be well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
RESEARCH:
Sabat, I.E., Lindsey, A.P., King, E.B. et al. Stigma Expression Outcomes and Boundary Conditions: A Meta-Analysis. J Bus Psychol 35, 171–186 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-018-9608-z
