Silent Struggles: Stigma, Mental Health Disclosure, and Social Support in Older Adulthood

Date of Award

5-1-2025

Degree Name

M.A. in Communication

Department

Department of Communication

Advisor/Chair

Jen Ptacek

Abstract

This study explores how older adults perceive and manage stigma related to aging, as well as the role social support plays in that process. Using qualitative interviews, findings revealed that while many participants claimed they had not experienced stigma, their narratives often described dismissive or devaluing encounters, suggesting a disconnect between conceptualizing stigma and experiencing it. Drawing on Stigma Management Communication (SMC) theory, this study contributes real-life examples of how older adults navigate stigma, sometimes through denial, resilience, or selective engagement with social support systems. The research also connects these experiences to the framework of social support, demonstrating how emotional connections with friends and family serve as protective factors both before and after stigma occurs. Despite strong informal support systems, participants often still felt invisible or underestimated in public spaces, suggesting that social support alone cannot fully buffer the effects of ageism. Practical implications highlight the need for more accessible mental health services, age-specific messaging in public health, and deeper provider training to support the evolving needs of a diverse aging population.

Keywords

Communication

Rights Statement

Copyright 2025, author.

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