000			01572pab a2200157 454500
008			180718b2004 xxu||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d
100			_aShih, Margaret
245			_aPositive stigma: examining resilience and empowerment in overcoming stigma
260			_c2004
300			_ap.175-85.
362			_aJan
520			_aThe traditional literature on stigma focuses on identifying factors contributing to the harmful impact of stigmas on the lives of stigmatized individuals. This focus, however, cannot explain the many cases of individuals possessing a stigmatized identity flourishing in our society. This article investigates the processes that successful stigmatized individuals use to overcome the harmful consequences of stigmatization. Specially, this article reviews three processes: (1) compensation; (2) strategic interpretations of the social environment; and (3) focusing on multiple identities that have been identified in the literature to help stigmatized individuals handle prejudice and discrimination. Moreover, successful individuals adopt an "empowerment" model as opposed to a "coping" model when dealing with stigma. In other words, successful individuals view overcoming the adversities associated with stigma as an empowering process, as opposed to a depleting process. This discussion underscores the importance of adopting a new approach to gain a fuller understanding of the experience of being stigmatized. - Reproduced.
650			_aSocial psychology
773			_aAnnals of American Academy of Political and Social Science
909			_a59344
999			_c59344 _d59344