Disruptive Behaviors and Maternal Responsibility: A Complex Portrait of Stigma, Self-Blame, and Other Reactions

Abstract

Feelings of stigma and self-blame were studied among 62 Cuban, Dominican, and Puerto Rican mothers of 4- to 10-year-old children with disruptive behaviors. Data were collected and analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Results indicated that 42% blamed themselves for their children’s behaviors, and 39% felt stigmatized by others. Feelings of stigma and self-blame were not significantly associated. Mothers who blamed themselves had a lower level of education and gave their children significantly more impaired functional ratings than mothers who did not blame themselves. Mothers who felt stigmatized became concerned about their children and sought help earlier, rated their children’s behavior at home more poorly, felt more socially restricted by their children’s behavior, and were less likely to feel competent in managing their children than mothers who did not feel stigmatized. Sources of stigma were family, the social network, schools, and the mother’s own schemas. Responses to stigma included isolation, self-blame, blaming others, and rejection of the stigma.