The social psychology literature has documented how anticipated stigma affects romantic, friendship, and workplace relationships. Anticipatory stigma is the fear that one's stigmatized identity will be discovered and negatively impact interpersonal interactions. This fear can cause individuals to avoid situations where their identity might become known (Hatzenbuehler & Phelan, 2012; Link et al., 20018), even if it would be preferable for them to participate in those situations. In other words, anticipated stigma may prevent people from pursuing meaningful relationships because they are afraid of rejection based on their identity.
How does this affect relational trust? Research suggests that individuals who experience anticipated stigma have lower levels of perceived social support than those without anticipated stigma (Burton et al., 2016). This could lead to reduced relationship quality, as feelings of trust depend on perceived social support.
Someone who worries about being rejected due to their sexuality may be less willing to disclose personal information to a new partner, leading to lower trust and intimacy.
Anticipated stigma can also affect collaboration by causing individuals to self-censor or avoid working with others who hold similar identities (Dovidio et al., 2005). Self-silencing and isolation may reduce opportunities for cooperation, which is necessary for successful group projects.
Anticipated stigma may make individuals more likely to avoid tasks that require collaborating with others, reducing overall productivity.
Anticipated stigma can also impact communication patterns. Individuals may modify their language and behavior to avoid revealing aspects of their identity that could elicit stigmatizing responses (Link et al., 20018). This can limit the authenticity of interactions and interfere with effective communication.
An individual may hesitate to share opinions or ideas if they fear backlash from peers who hold different beliefs. In sum, anticipated stigma has broad implications for relational dynamics and can negatively impact trust, collaboration, and communication in both personal and professional settings.
How does anticipation of stigma affect relational trust, collaboration, and communication?
Anticipating stigma can negatively impact relational trust, collaboration, and communication for several reasons. Firstly, individuals may feel hesitant to express their true opinions or beliefs due to fear of judgment or rejection from others, leading to decreased openness and honesty in interactions. This can create an atmosphere where everyone is guarded and less likely to share ideas freely, resulting in lower levels of creativity and innovation.