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Self-stigma remains a critical yet often overlooked barrier to independence and meaningful employment for transition-age youth with disabilities. In a recent paper published in the journal Rehabilitation Psychology, researchers Heerak Choi, PhD, Allen Heinemann, PhD and Connie Sung, PhD, shed new light on how internalized stigma, or “self-stigma,” can negatively affect the psychosocial functioning and career outcomes of young people with disabilities.
Self-stigma occurs when individuals internalize perceived negative perceptions about their disability and begin to believe these perceptions reflect their own worth or capabilities. Rather than recognizing societal biases as unjust, individuals may think, “I’m not good enough to hold a job,” or “People like me can’t succeed.” This internalization can significantly disrupt cognitive, emotional and behavioral development, especially during the formative years when youth are still shaping their identities and learning to navigate the adult world.
The study focused on employment and transition-age youth aged 14 to 24 years old. Transition-aged individuals are often engaged in programs to prepare them for the workforce, such as job shadowing or work-based learning experiences. However, while these programs effectively teach practical skills, they often overlook the psychological barriers like self-stigma.
The study involved 199 transition-age youth with various disabilities and categorized them by their level of self-stigma: high, medium, or low. The results revealed several important insights. “More than half of the participants were in the high self-stigma group and reported significant disruptions in thought patterns, emotional wellbeing, and behavior,” says Choi, a post-doctoral fellow in the Center for Education and Health Sciences at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “These individuals were more likely to doubt their own abilities, avoid applying for jobs, or withdraw socially; all behaviors that hinder career advancement.”
High levels of self-stigma were also linked to lower autonomy and perceived competence, and poor social connections, factors strongly correlated with employment success. Participants with high self-stigma often demonstrate self-defeating behaviors, such as not seeking job opportunities or isolating themselves.
“The behavioral consequences are especially important,” says Allen Heinemann, PhD, director of the Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and an author on the paper. “People with high self-stigma may hold themselves back by avoiding job opportunities or avoiding interacting with others, which makes it harder for them to stay engaged and find work opportunities.”
The findings point to a need for targeted interventions to address the psychological factors of career development.
Cognitive approaches that help individuals recognize and reframe negative beliefs about themselves can be challenging, particularly when reinforced by external stigma. On the other hand, skills-based approaches, such as teaching self-advocacy, communication and coping strategies, can empower youth to navigate stigma and build resilience. These methods also offer a more accessible starting point for direct service professionals (DSPs).
The researchers advocate for additional training for DSPs who provide home and community-based services (HCBS), who can support transition-age youth in achieving employment goals.
“Career readiness training alone isn’t enough; we need to develop strength-based interventions that focus on building self-efficacy to help our young people believe in themselves,” says Sung, a professor of social work at the University of Michigan. “Tackling self-stigma through such interventions is key to unlocking confidence, opportunity, and brighter futures for young people with disabilities.”