Page "Labeling theory" Paragraph 83

Modified Labeling theory has been described as a " sophisticated social-psychological model of ' why labels matter ' ".

In 2000 results from a prospective two-year study of patients discharged from a mental hospital ( in the context of deinstitutionalization ) showed that stigma was a powerful and persistent force in their lives, and that experiences of social rejection were a persistent source of social stress.

Efforts to cope with labels, such as not telling anyone, educating people about mental distress / disorder, withdrawing from stigmatizing situations, could result in further social isolation and reinforce negative self-concepts.

Sometimes an identity as a low self-esteem minority in society would be accepted.

The stigma was associated with diminished motivation and ability to " make it in mainstream society " and with " a state of social and psychological vulnerability to prolonged and recurrent problems ".

There was an up and down pattern in self-esteem, however, and it was suggested that, rather than simply gradual erosion of self-worth and increasing self-deprecating tendencies, people were sometimes managing, but struggling, to maintain consistent feelings of self-worth.

Ultimately, " a cadre of patients had developed an entrenched, negative view of themselves, and their experiences of rejection appear to be a key element in the construction of these self-related feelings " and " hostile neighbourhoods may not only affect their self-concept but may also ultimately impact the patient's mental health status and how successful they are ".