Work

The effect of affiliate stigma on individuals affected by stigmatised conditions: A scoping review.

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Affiliate stigma occurs when a close acquaintance (e.g., family member, friend, or caregiver) of a person with a stigmatizing condition (PwSC) internalizes and accepts society's stigmatizing beliefs about them due to their association with the stigmatized individual.In turn, affiliate stigma may shape how the acquaintance (i.e., the "affiliate") supports or engages with the PwSC, which may alter the quality or extent of support received by the PwSC.In this scoping review, we examined how affiliate stigma affects PwSCs.A scoping review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.A comprehensive electronic search of databases, including Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online via PubMed, S.C.O.P.U.S., Web of Science, and APA PsycInfo revealed 2,528 unique studies.The search was limited to studies published in English from the inception of each database to August 2024.After abstract and full-text screening, 27 articles met the inclusion criteria.None of the studies directly measured the impact of affiliate stigma on PwSC's health and well-being; instead, the impact was inferred from the data.Nevertheless, an association between affiliate stigma and negative support systems for PwSCs was noted in most studies.These associations were classified into five themes: (a) ways of caring for the PwSC, (b) opportunities for social interaction and activity engagement, (c) behavioral and mental health difficulties in the PwSC, (d) engagement with health care services, and (e) family dynamics.The results of this review underscore the need for further exploration of these associations, particularly within specific sociocultural contexts, to inform the development of comprehensive support systems for both PwSCs and their affiliates. Clinical Impact StatementThis scoping review highlights the relationship between affiliate stigma and negative outcomes for persons with stigmatizing conditions through the behaviors of caregivers and family members (i.e., "affiliates").When affiliates internalize stigma, it may adversely affect family dynamics, social participation, and engagement with health care services.These findings underscore the need for clinicians and service providers to recognize affiliate stigma as a clinically and socially relevant construct.Addressing affiliate stigma may involve tackling barriers at both interpersonal and structural levels, including caregiver burden and stress, relational strain within families, and systemic constraints that limit access to evidence-based care.The findings also highlight that the relationship between affiliate stigma and outcomes for persons with stigmatizing conditions should be measured directly rather than being inferred.

Source: Stigma and Health

DOI: 10.1037/sah0000719

Authors: Suhani Pattanshetti, Lucy Ferrie, Charlotte Vercammen, Gabrielle H. Saunders, Samuel Couth

Institution: University of Manchester

Language: English

Topic: Mental Health Treatment and Access

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Institute for Health and Care Research, Department of Health and Social Care, Manchester Biomedical Research Centre