Examining the Impact of Affiliate Stigma Among Black Mothers of Children with Developmental Disabilities (DD)

Background and Purpose: Black mothers of children with developmental disabilities (DD) face multiple layers of stigma within various systems. These challenges are deeply rooted in the legacy of slavery and sustained through structures of anti-Blackness.

According to the CDC, 1 in 6 children has a developmental disability; these children encounter daily barriers due to societal norms. While considerable research has explored stigma related to individuals with disabilities, there has been less focus on affiliate stigma, which affects caregivers of stigmatized individuals. This is particularly true for Black mothers who endure added stigmas related to race and economic status. Increased stressors raise the likelihood of having children with DD, which can, in turn, adversely affect the psychological well-being of mothers.

Using motherwork and disability justice frameworks to address the gap in research, the findings aim to support the development of targeted interventions that address the needs of Black mothers, guided by the following research questions: (1) To what extent does the degree of affiliate stigma impact the psychological well-being and coping strategies of Black mothers of children with DD, and how might socioeconomic factors (e.g., income & education) moderate this relationship? (2) How do Black mothers of children with DD perceive dealing with affiliate stigma, and how do their coping strategies and psychological well-being relate to these factors?

Methods: A mixed methods design is used to investigate the research questions by collecting quantitative data from Black mothers (n=100) of children diagnosed with DD through self-report measures using Qualtrics, including the Affiliate Stigma Scale, the Psychological Well-Being Scale, and the Brief COPE inventory. Statistical testing of how income and education moderate the relationship between affiliate stigma and mothers' psychological outcomes and coping strategies will be conducted using hierarchical multiple regression and multinomial logistic regression models for data analysis.

Additionally, qualitative data will be gathered from a purposively selected subset of participants (n=10) from the quantitative sample. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted to gain a deeper contextual understanding of the quantitative results and provide insights into the lived experiences of these mothers. Qualitative data will be analyzed using a thematic approach.

Results: Research demonstrates the adverse impact of affiliate stigma on Black mothers of children with DD, influenced by socioeconomic status, which provides greater resource access. Black mothers use passive and active coping strategies, and despite navigating multiple barriers, these mothers continue to advocate for their children in the face of systemic challenges. Service providers should enhance existing coping strategies through implementing culturally responsive system-level changes that address structural inequities affecting Black families navigating both racial and disability-related challenges.

Conclusion and Implications: Our findings underscore the importance of prioritizing Black mothers' voices and reconceptualizing service delivery through motherwork and disability justice. The coping strategies of these mothers are not merely adaptations but serve as acts of resistance against intersecting systems of oppression. Addressing these compounded effects requires centering community knowledge, challenging deficit narratives, and creating holistic family-centered approaches that support the child with DD and the family within a broader community.