The use and operationalization of “structural stigma” in health-related research: A scoping review
Abstract Background Research that investigates the negative health effects of stigma beyond the individual and interpersonal levels is increasingly using the concept of “structural stigma.” This scoping review investigates how the concept of “structural stigma” has been used and operationalized in h...
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2024-12-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21171-8 |
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| author | Evan L. Eschliman Edwina P. Kisanga Long Jie Huang Ohemaa B. Poku Becky L. Genberg Danielle German Sarah M. Murray Lawrence H. Yang Michelle R. Kaufman |
| author_facet | Evan L. Eschliman Edwina P. Kisanga Long Jie Huang Ohemaa B. Poku Becky L. Genberg Danielle German Sarah M. Murray Lawrence H. Yang Michelle R. Kaufman |
| author_sort | Evan L. Eschliman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Research that investigates the negative health effects of stigma beyond the individual and interpersonal levels is increasingly using the concept of “structural stigma.” This scoping review investigates how the concept of “structural stigma” has been used and operationalized in health-related literature to date in order to characterize its usage and inform future operationalizations. Methods A systematic search and screening process identified peer-reviewed, English-language research articles that used the term “structural stigma” available prior to January 1, 2024 in five databases (i.e., PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL). Results Of the 298 articles identified, over half (53%) were published from 2021 onward. Articles most commonly were set in the United States (n = 163, 55%), investigated stigma toward sexual minority people (n = 163, 55%), and cited the introduction of a special issue of Social Science & Medicine as their source of the concept (n = 84, 28%). Most articles (64%) used at least one additional conceptual framework, most commonly minority stress theory (n = 107, 36%). Quantitative operationalizations (n = 102) engaged most in the conceptual domain of laws and government-level policies, while qualitative operationalizations (n = 68) engaged most with institutional (i.e., non-government-level) policies, practices, and procedures. Conclusions As the use of “structural stigma” is increasing, operationalizations can better leverage the concept’s breadth and account for individuals’ intersectional lived experiences. This will necessitate bridging across methodologies and bodies of research on related negative social processes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d735be04385343cfbb3b63db3f3f4998 |
| institution | DOAJ |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-d735be04385343cfbb3b63db3f3f49982025-08-20T02:54:00ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582024-12-0124111310.1186/s12889-024-21171-8The use and operationalization of “structural stigma” in health-related research: A scoping reviewEvan L. Eschliman0Edwina P. Kisanga1Long Jie Huang2Ohemaa B. Poku3Becky L. Genberg4Danielle German5Sarah M. Murray6Lawrence H. Yang7Michelle R. Kaufman8Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public HealthDepartment of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthDepartment of Educational and Counseling Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New YorkDepartment of Psychiatry, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric InstituteDepartment of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthDepartment of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthDepartment of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthDepartment of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public HealthDepartment of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthAbstract Background Research that investigates the negative health effects of stigma beyond the individual and interpersonal levels is increasingly using the concept of “structural stigma.” This scoping review investigates how the concept of “structural stigma” has been used and operationalized in health-related literature to date in order to characterize its usage and inform future operationalizations. Methods A systematic search and screening process identified peer-reviewed, English-language research articles that used the term “structural stigma” available prior to January 1, 2024 in five databases (i.e., PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL). Results Of the 298 articles identified, over half (53%) were published from 2021 onward. Articles most commonly were set in the United States (n = 163, 55%), investigated stigma toward sexual minority people (n = 163, 55%), and cited the introduction of a special issue of Social Science & Medicine as their source of the concept (n = 84, 28%). Most articles (64%) used at least one additional conceptual framework, most commonly minority stress theory (n = 107, 36%). Quantitative operationalizations (n = 102) engaged most in the conceptual domain of laws and government-level policies, while qualitative operationalizations (n = 68) engaged most with institutional (i.e., non-government-level) policies, practices, and procedures. Conclusions As the use of “structural stigma” is increasing, operationalizations can better leverage the concept’s breadth and account for individuals’ intersectional lived experiences. This will necessitate bridging across methodologies and bodies of research on related negative social processes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21171-8StigmaDiscriminationStructural factorsScoping reviewQuantitativeQualitative |
| spellingShingle | Evan L. Eschliman Edwina P. Kisanga Long Jie Huang Ohemaa B. Poku Becky L. Genberg Danielle German Sarah M. Murray Lawrence H. Yang Michelle R. Kaufman The use and operationalization of “structural stigma” in health-related research: A scoping review BMC Public Health Stigma Discrimination Structural factors Scoping review Quantitative Qualitative |
| title | The use and operationalization of “structural stigma” in health-related research: A scoping review |
| title_full | The use and operationalization of “structural stigma” in health-related research: A scoping review |
| title_fullStr | The use and operationalization of “structural stigma” in health-related research: A scoping review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The use and operationalization of “structural stigma” in health-related research: A scoping review |
| title_short | The use and operationalization of “structural stigma” in health-related research: A scoping review |
| title_sort | use and operationalization of structural stigma in health related research a scoping review |
| topic | Stigma Discrimination Structural factors Scoping review Quantitative Qualitative |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21171-8 |
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