Behavioral vs. cognitive: Expanded definitions of coping and stigma resistance

This study engages the growing literature on stigma, coping and well-being by examining how individuals with concealed mental health conditions engage in 1) behavioral coping practices aimed at improving their well-being 2) stigma resistance. To explore these issues, we analyze 26 in-depth interviews with individuals in India who identify as having a mental health condition that they are actively concealing at work. Altogether, we find participants draw upon and challenge distinctions between mental and physical health as a form of stigma resistance. Furthermore, our findings suggest individuals with concealed mental health conditions engage in stigma resistance in ways that may expand previous definitions of deflection and challenging.