Symbolic Interaction: Symbolic Interaction: A Theoretical Approach to A Theoretical Approach to Understanding Stigma & Understanding Stigma & RecoveryRecovery

Jim Roe

OverviewOverviewHow Symbolic Interaction can be used

as a contemporary method to identify ways in which Mental Health Practices inadvertently contribute towards the disabled self.

Background: The Medical ModelChanges in recent policy & practiceStigmaSymbolic Interaction

The Medical ModelThe Medical ModelMedical Model

Diagnosable symptoms Expert/specialist to diagnose Biological framework as an explanation Expert/specialist to repair

Implications - Maddux (2008) Causes lie within the individual not

environment Understanding comes from the individual

not interactions

However...However...Maddux: Illness ideology

Emphasis on weakness and sickness Dichotomy of normal and abnormal

behaviours ‘Patient’ as a passive victim No control – require expert attention &

care

Neglect for the meaning of illness Individual Social group

Focus of NHS PolicyFocus of NHS Policy

Reducing & controlling symptoms

Optimal levels of autonomy & citizenship (Recovery)

Stigma & LabellingStigma & LabellingSignificant impact on recovery

Diagnostic labelling The abnormal individual Perceptions of dangerousness Social disruption Relationship troubles Self-stigmatisation Perceived personal responsibility Self worth, aspirations and capabilities

Symbolic InteractionismSymbolic InteractionismOrigins in Pragmatist thought (Mead)Blumer (1969)• Individuals act towards things based on

meaning• Meanings derived from social interaction• Meanings modified through social

interactionLittle recent researchImplicit in early sociological work by

Goffman, Szasz & Rosenhan

The ImplicationsThe ImplicationsIndividuals’ actions, reactions

and interactions central to analysis

First person accountsReflective processObservations of the processes of

social interactions

The BenefitsThe BenefitsFocus on micro-processesService Users and Professional

StaffFirst person accountsMeaningsPatterns of behaviour and

communicationReconstruction of subjective

worlds

The QuestionsThe QuestionsWhat are the underlying meanings

of service users’ needs, risks and potential?

How are therapeutic interactions governed by these meanings?

What are the effects of these interactions on the recovery process in terms of stigma and harm?

What are the sources of this underlying harm?

In SummaryIn SummarySymbolic Interaction is a way to

understand how the self is created and therefore understand how contemporary practices & conventions inadvertently contribute towards the disabled self.

Symbolic Interaction: Symbolic Interaction: A Theoretical Approach to A Theoretical Approach to Understanding Stigma & Understanding Stigma & RecoveryRecovery

Jim Roe