The impact of Stigma on the Basic Psychological Needs

Stigma has received increasing attention in health and psychological literature due to its role as a determinant of health inequities. In this work, the Self-Determination Theory -and more specifically, the Basic Needs Theory-, is proposed as a framework to explain some possible pathways through which this relation could take place. In this sense three hypotheses are proposed: first, label avoidance could impact the need of autonomy through the process of concealing. Second, internalized stigma could impact the competence need by reducing self-efficacy. Third, perceived stigma could impact the relatedness need by inducing social withdrawal. The relevance of interpreting the impact that stigma has on wellbeing through the Self-Determination Theory derives from the possibility of applying the evidence generated on this theory to the specific topic of stigma.