Social Support
Social support refers to the help and assistance people receive from their family, friends, peers, and communities during difficult times. It can be emotional, practical, or both and is an important aspect of mental health and wellbeing. When individuals experience internalized stigma and relational strain, they may feel isolated, ashamed, and alone.
Having access to social support can alleviate these negative feelings and improve overall quality of life. This article will explore how social support helps mitigate internalized stigma and relational strain.
Internalized Stigma
Internalized stigma occurs when an individual accepts society's negative stereotypes about themselves or their group and begins to believe them.
Someone who experiences homophobia may begin to think that they are less worthy than others because of their sexual orientation. As a result, they may develop low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. This can lead to difficulties in personal relationships, work, and daily activities.
Relational Strains
Relational strain refers to conflicts between two or more individuals due to differences in attitudes, beliefs, values, or goals.
If one person holds sexist views while another does not, it could create tension in their relationship. This can also occur with issues such as race, class, religion, and disability. These conflicts often lead to misunderstandings, arguments, and even breakups.
How Social Support Helps Mitigate Internalized Stigma
Social support plays a crucial role in mitigating internalized stigma by providing comfort, understanding, and acceptance. People experiencing internalized stigma may seek out friends, family members, or therapists for emotional support. They may share their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or criticism. With empathy and validation from those around them, they learn to appreciate their uniqueness and strengths instead of focusing on perceived weaknesses. This leads to increased confidence, happiness, and wellbeing.
How Social Support Helps Mitigate Relational Strain
In addition to helping with internalized stigma, social support can also help alleviate relational strain. When couples experience conflict, they may turn to trusted friends or relatives for guidance. These individuals can offer advice, compromise suggestions, and act as mediators between the parties involved. By discussing different perspectives, the couple may come up with creative solutions that satisfy both sides.
Social support can provide distraction from the issue at hand, allowing time for each partner to cool down before continuing the conversation.
Social support is essential for reducing negative effects of internalized stigma and relational strain. It provides emotional and practical assistance that helps individuals cope with difficult situations. Without this support, people may feel isolated and alone, leading to further distress. Thus, seeking out social support when needed is an important step towards mental health and wellbeing.
What role does social support play in mitigating internalized stigma and relational strain?
Social support can be an important factor that helps individuals cope with internalized stigma and relational strain. Research has shown that social support provides a sense of belongingness and acceptance which can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness caused by stigma. It also serves as a source of validation and encouragement, helping individuals to maintain self-esteem and confidence despite experiencing discrimination and prejudice.