Distancing From a Stigmatized Identity

Abstract

Discrimination is perceived as stemming from outgroups. The UN Sustainable Development Goal 10 focused on reducing inequalities calls attention also to intragroup hostilities. In the US, intragroup hostilities between Latinos/as might occur if disassociation from a stigmatized sub-group protects one's status. This chapter tests potential disassociation effects by examining whether US Latinos/as distance themselves from a stigmatized identity by supporting adverse policies regarding Latino/a immigrants. Two studies (n=273 and n=8634) found that citizenship status was linked to support for adverse policies: more US-born Latinos/as considered immigrants a burden than Latinos/as of unknown status or non-citizens. Some Latino/a citizens might cut off reflected failure associated with being an immigrant because distancing might support coping with cultural demands of US residence and distancing from recent immigrants might prevent transference of negative stereotypes. As inequalities increase overall in the post-COVID-19 era, intragroup bias may worsen outcomes for stigmatized sub-groups.