Chronic stigmatization can be defined as the process through which a person experiences negative judgments from others that are persistent and pervasive across time and situations. This phenomenon has been associated with significant psychological distress and mental illness, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and low self-esteem. One less researched consequence of chronic stigmatization is its impact on physical health. In particular, some studies have suggested that suppressing emotions related to chronic stigma may result in increased levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, leading to inflammation and immune dysregulation. These biological changes, in turn, have been linked to a variety of diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, arthritis, and respiratory conditions.
Individuals who experience chronic stigma may engage in unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance abuse or risky sexual behavior, which can further exacerbate their physical health. The current review will explore this relationship in greater detail, focusing on how emotional suppression specifically relates to physical health outcomes among victims of chronic stigma.
The Relationship between Emotional Suppression and Physical Health Among Victims of Chronic Stigma
Chronic stigmatization refers to the ongoing social judgment and discrimination experienced by an individual due to perceived differences, such as race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or socioeconomic status. This labeling process often leads to feelings of isolation, shame, and rejection, resulting in negative mental health consequences.
One study found that LGBTQ+ youth who reported experiencing high levels of stigma were more likely to report symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD than those who did not (McCabe et al., 2016). Another study showed that African Americans with HIV/AIDS who reported experiencing stigma had higher rates of depressive symptoms compared to those without stigma (Pettitt & Jones, 2019). Moreover, individuals with disabilities are twice as likely to experience poorer physical health outcomes when they also face stigma (Wongpakaran et al., 2020).
These findings suggest that chronic stigma is a significant stressor for many people, leading to long-term psychological and potentially physical health problems.
Emotional suppression involves the conscious effort to conceal or ignore one's feelings in order to avoid negative judgments from others. This strategy may be used to reduce vulnerability and protect oneself from further harm, but it can have detrimental effects on both mental and physical health. Research has shown that emotional suppression is associated with increased levels of stress hormones like cortisol, which can lead to physiological changes such as inflammation and immune dysregulation (Van Praag et al., 2004; Carver et al., 2015). These biological changes have been linked to numerous health issues, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, arthritis, and respiratory conditions (Fredrickson et al., 20008; Kiecolt-Glaser et al., 2005). Moreover, suppressing emotion is often accompanied by unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance abuse, risky sexual behavior, and poor dietary habits (Hassin et al., 2016), all of which can contribute to additional health problems.
Studies have begun to explore how emotional suppression relates to physical health among victims of chronic stigma.
A recent study found that individuals who experienced higher levels of internalized stigma related to HIV/AIDS were more likely to report worse health outcomes, including higher levels of depression, anxiety, and self-reported symptoms of illness (Lai & Heim, 2017). Another study showed that LGBTQ+ youth who reported experiencing high levels of stigma also had lower immunity compared to those without stigma (McCabe et al., 2016). Similarly, a study of people living with HIV/AIDS found that those who reported greater experiences of internalized stigma had higher rates of noncommunicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease (Olshansky et al., 2019).
These findings suggest that emotional suppression may be one mechanism through which chronic stigmatization impacts physical health outcomes.
The current review has explored the relationship between emotional suppression and physical health among victims of chronic stigma. Research suggests that suppressing emotion in response to chronic stigma is associated with increased stress hormones, unhealthy coping mechanisms, and poorer mental health outcomes. This, in turn, can lead to a variety of physical health issues such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, arthritis, and respiratory conditions. Future research should continue to examine this topic to
What is the relationship between emotional suppression and physical health among victims of chronic stigma?
The relationship between emotional suppression and physical health has been extensively studied for several decades in various populations, including those affected by chronic stigma. Chronic stigma refers to the persistent experience of negative social reactions towards a certain group of people, such as individuals with mental illnesses or disabilities. Emotional suppression involves the conscious or unconscious attempt to hide one's feelings and thoughts from others, usually due to the fear of being judged or rejected.