Virtual Ability Symposium Spring 2018 - Joe DeLuca
Channel: AvaCon Inc
Date: 2018-04-24

Research has increasingly explored mental illness self-stigma (i.e., when people diagnosed with mental illness believe that society’s negative beliefs are true of them). This research has demonstrated that self-stigma predicts poorer functional and treatment outcomes for individuals diagnosed with mental illness. Stigma research has typically investigated the impact of a single stigma on people, without considering the potential effects of multiple stigmatizing labels. People who are diagnosed with mental illness, have a history of criminal conviction, and identify with a racial-ethnic minority group, however, may experience multiple stigmas. This presentation will discuss stigma and self-concept theory, and report on data showing that multiple stigmatized labels can combine and magnify negative outcomes.

Joe DeLuca, M.A., is a 4th year PhD student in Clinical Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice & the CUNY Graduate Center in New York City, working under the mentorship of Dr. Philip Yanos. He received his BA/MA in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College. Joe is currently completing his studies in clinical psychology and hopes to continue to work with youth and young adults in the future. He currently is a clinical extern at a hospital-based clinic for youth, teaches undergraduate courses in psychology, and conducts research on mental health, recovery, and stigma (as part of the Mental Health Recovery Research Lab).

The Virtual Ability community hosts this annual Symposium to share information about mental health and mental disabilities with the general population. Within our cross-disability community we have members who deal with a variety of mental health issues. Not only is this an opportunity for our community members to learn more about topics related to mental health from experts they probably would not have a chance to meet otherwise, it allows the general public to attend a professional conference at no cost.