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Challenging aged care stigma through communication: discursive responses to stigmatising discourses about aged care work and implications for workers’ mental health

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Occupational stigma can negatively impact aged care workers' (ACWs) mental health. This mixed-methods study investigates whether ACWs who challenge stigmatising discourses, through communication, experience reduced psychological costs of aged care stigma. We screened 184 ACWs' discursive responses and tested for differences in ACWs' mental health between those who challenge stigma and those who do not. A discourse approach was further employed to examine recurring language patterns in 'challenge' discursive responses. ACWs (n = 95) who discursively challenged stigmatising discourses reported lower internalised occupational stigma and psychological distress than those who did not challenge stigma (n = 89). These workers chose to infuse positive value into negative evaluations about ACWs and aged care work. Overall, findings suggest that ACWs may spontaneously challenge occupational stigma, through their discursive responses, which may proactively protect their mental health. We offer practical implications for challenging stigma, including developing guidelines, training, and language-based interventions.

Source: European Journal of Ageing

DOI: 10.1007/s10433-025-00844-2

Authors: Asmita V. Manchha, Ken Tann, Kïrsten A. Way, Michael Thai

Institutions: The University of Queensland, Metro North Hospital and Health Service

Language: English

Topic: Mental Health Treatment and Access

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,190