CCSR - Stigma and Behavioral Health in Urban Employers from China and the United States

Stigma and Behavioral Health in Urban Employers from China and the United States

Abstract & Stages
Theoretical Review and Models
1. Behaviorally-Driven Health Conditions and Causal Attribution
2. Behaviorally-driven Health Conditions and Dangerousness
3. Cross-Cultural Differences
4. References
Researchers & Acknowledgements

Behaviorally-Driven Health Conditions and Causal Attribution

Research has examined the relationship between attribution, affective response, AND behavioral activity. As can be seen from Figure 1, uncontrollability attributions about an event lead to pity and helping behavior (Dooley, 1995; Menec & Perry, 1998; Reisenzein, 1986; Schmidt & Weiner, 1988; Zucker & Weiner, 1993). For example, a person whose health condition is attributed to a head injury sustained in a car accident is more likely to receive sympathy from others. This sympathy leads to helping behavior; "I'd be willing to give him a ride to work". Of far greater importance to the purpose of this study, research also shows a relationship between attributions about events under a person's control, angry reactions, and punishing behaviors (Graham, Hudley, & Williams, 1992; Graham, Weiner, & Zucker, 1997; Reisenzein, 1986; Takako, Lee, Weiner, & Oubuchi, 2002). Persons who believe that a health condition is under an individual's control (e.g., because they lack willpower) are likely to respond angrily to that individual and act towards him or her in a punishing manner. A punitive response to controllability attributions may involve loss of opportunity; namely, employers might withhold opportunities from an individual because of perceived responsibility for their symptoms. These reactions might include withholding opportunities for competitive jobs or promotions (Corrigan, 1998; Pescosolido et al., 1999).