The link between anticipated and internalized stigma and depression: A systematic review.

Stigmatized groups may experience psychological distress. Yet, some studies show no significant relation between stigma and mental health outcomes. This systematic review investigates the link between anticipated and internalized stigma, and one mental health outcome, depression. We aimed to (1) determine whether anticipated and internalized stigma predict levels of depression, and (2) review the quality of evidence for this link. We searched PsycInfo, PubMed and EMBASE databases. Eighty-three studies (N = 34,705) met our inclusion criteria, across five stigma categories: Sexual and gender minorities; HIV/AIDS; Illness or disability-related (non-HIV); Weight, and Other. We reviewed evidence within each category and study design and developed a narrative synthesis. Sixty studies (72.3%) supported the proposed link, which varied across categories from 53.6% to 100%. Using the NIH quality assessment tool, most studies were of fair quality. Most cross-sectional studies (76.7%) straightforwardly supported the positive relation between internalized and/or anticipated stigma and depression, while only 40% of longitudinal studies did. Implications for the study of stigma and mental health outcomes are discussed.

Post-COVID care delivery: The experience from an Irish tertiary centre's post-COVID clinic.

BACKGROUND: The long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection and optimal follow-up approach are not well-recognised. Here we describe the implementation of a post-COVID clinic in an Irish tertiary centre after the first wave of the pandemic. This study describes the characteristics of our patient cohort and the operations and outcomes of the clinic, exploring some of the risk factors for developing post-COVID syndrome and the appropriateness of the triage system employed. METHODS: All SARS-CoV-2 positive patients from March 10th to June 14th 2020 were telephone-triaged as red, amber or green based on ongoing symptoms with clinic appointments scheduled accordingly. All clinic visits were face-to-face with the infectious diseases medical team and a proforma for each patient was completed. Data were collected retrospectively by reviewing the proformas and the electronic medical record (EMR). RESULTS: 311 patients attended the clinic. Median time from illness to clinic appointment was 95 days (IQR 77-105.5). 204 patients (66%) were female, 192 (62%) were hospital staff, and the median age was 43 years (IQR 31-53). 138 patients (44%) had required hospital admission. At their first clinic visit 219 patients (70%) had ongoing symptoms. A further appointment was made for 62 patients (20%). 34 patients (11%) were discussed at an MDT meeting, and 55 (18%) were referred onward to a specialist service. 85% of those triaged green, 73% of those triaged amber, and 39% of those triaged red did not receive further follow up after one clinic visit. Patients were more likely to require follow up with reported dyspnoea (OR 5.6; 95% CI 2.8-11.3; p <0.001), cough (OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.1-8.4, p = 0.04), and palpitations (OR 3.6; 95% CI 1.0-12.3; p = 0.04). Female sex was associated with increased odds of a higher triage category (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.08 to 3.20; p = 0.02), as was requiring admission to hospital (OR 4.0; 95% CI 2.34 to 6.90; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The long-term effects of COVID-19 are significant with 70% of our cohort experiencing persistent symptoms. Persistent dyspnoea, cough and palpitations were associated with increased need for follow up. This study also suggests that a traffic light telephone-triage service followed by a face-to-face medical-led clinic could be an effective way of identifying patients who require further management.

Impact of parental lifestyle patterns in the preconception and pregnancy periods on childhood obesity.

Introduction: High prevalence of overweight and obesity already observed in preschool children suggests the involvement of early-life risk factors. Preconception period and pregnancy are crucial windows for the implementation of child obesity prevention interventions with parental lifestyle factors as relevant targets. So far, most studies have evaluated their role separately, with only a few having investigated their potential synergistic effect on childhood obesity. Our objective was to investigate parental lifestyle patterns in the preconception and pregnancy periods and their association with the risk of child overweight after 5 years. Materials and methods: We harmonized and interpreted results from four European mother-offspring cohorts participating in the EndObesity Consortium [EDEN, France; Elfe, France; Lifeways, Ireland; and Generation R, Netherlands] with data available for 1,900, 18,000, 1,100, and 9,500 families, respectively. Lifestyle factors were collected using questionnaires and included parental smoking, body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain, diet, physical activity, and sedentary behavior. We applied principal component analyses to identify parental lifestyle patterns in preconception and pregnancy. Their association with risk of overweight (including obesity; OW-OB) and BMI z-scores between 5 and 12 years were assessed using cohort-specific multivariable logistic and linear and regression models (adjusted for potential confounders including parental age, education level, employment status, geographic origin, parity, and household income). Results: Among the various lifestyle patterns derived in all cohorts, the two explaining the most variance were characterized by (1) "high parental smoking, low maternal diet quality (and high maternal sedentary behavior in some cohorts)" and, (2) "high parental BMI and low gestational weight gain." Patterns characterized by high parental BMI, smoking, low diet quality or high sedentary lifestyle before or during pregnancy were associated with higher risk of OW-OB in children, and BMI z-score at any age, with consistent strengths of associations in the main cohorts, except for lifeways. Conclusion: This project provides insight into how combined parental lifestyle factors in the preconception and pregnancy periods are associated with the future risk of child obesity. These findings are valuable to inform family-based and multi-behavioural child obesity prevention strategies in early life.

Parental lifestyle patterns around pregnancy and risk of childhood obesity in four European birth cohort studies.

BACKGROUND: A high prevalence of excess weight in children younger than 5 years suggests the involvement of early-life risk factors. The preconception and pregnancy periods are crucial stages for the implementation of interventions to prevent childhood obesity. Most studies so far have evaluated the effects of early-life factors separately, with only a few investigating the combined effect of parental lifestyle factors. Our objective was to fill the literature gap regarding parental lifestyle factors in the preconception and pregnancy periods and to study their association with the risk of overweight in children after the age of 5 years. METHODS: We harmonised and interpreted data from four European mother-offspring cohorts (EDEN [comprising 1900 families], Elfe [comprising 18 000 families], Lifeways [comprising 1100 families], and Generation R [comprising 9500 families]). Written informed consent was obtained from parents of all involved children. Lifestyle factor data collected through questionnaires comprised parental smoking, BMI, gestational weight gain, diet, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour. We applied principal component analyses to identify multiple lifestyle patterns in preconception and pregnancy. Their association with child BMI z-score and risk of overweight (including obesity, overweight and obesity, as defined by the International Task Force reference) between the ages of 5 and 12 years were assessed using cohort-specific multivariable linear and logistic regression models (adjusted for confounders including parental age, education level, employment status, geographic origin, parity, and household income). FINDINGS: Among the various lifestyle patterns identified in all cohorts, the two that better explained variance were high parental smoking plus low maternal diet quality or high maternal sedentary behaviour, and high parental BMI plus low gestational weight gain. Overall, we observed that patterns characterised by high parental BMI, smoking, low-quality diet, or sedentary lifestyle before or during pregnancy were associated with higher BMI z-scores and risk of overweight and obesity in children aged 5-12 years. INTERPRETATION: Our data contribute to a better understanding of how parental lifestyle factors might be associated with the risk of childhood obesity. These findings are valuable to inform future family-based and multi-behavioural child obesity prevention strategies in early life. FUNDING: European Union's Horizon 2020 under the ERA-NET Cofund action (reference 727565) and European Joint Programming Initiative "A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life" (JPI HDHL, EndObesity).

Adolescent overweight and obesity in Ireland-Trends and sociodemographic associations between 1990 and 2020.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity in adolescence is a growing issue and can have a range of both short- and long-term consequences on health. OBJECTIVES: To analyse trends in adolescent weight status in Ireland across a 30-year period and to examine the influence of sociodemographic factors on overweight/obesity in Irish adolescents over time. METHODS: Body composition and body mass index weight status of Irish adolescents were compared using data from three nationally representative, cross-sectional Irish national food consumption surveys from 1990, 2006 and 2020. Adjusted analysis of associations between socio-demographic factors with the risk of adolescent overweight/obesity at each time point were examined. RESULTS: The prevalence of Irish adolescents with overweight/obesity has increased significantly in recent years, with 24% of adolescents living with overweight/obesity in 2020 compared to 18% in 2006 and 13% in 1990 (p < 0.001). Of note is a substantial increase in the prevalence of obesity, with 8% of adolescents living with obesity in 2020 compared to 3% in 2006 and 0.5% in 1990 (p < 0.001). A lower affluence social class was associated with 3.95 increased odds of adolescent overweight/obesity (95%CI 2.06-7.61) (p < 0.001) in 2020 only, with 41% of adolescents from the lowest affluence social class affected by overweight/obesity. Parental education level was inversely associated with the risk of adolescent overweight/obesity in 2006 and 2020, with a stronger effect in 2020. CONCLUSION: There is an increasing prevalence of adolescents living with overweight/obesity in Ireland, with evidence of a growing socioeconomic gradient of overweight/obesity where adolescents affected by socioeconomic disadvantage are most at risk.

Why do preconception and pregnancy lifestyle interventions demonstrate limited success in preventing overweight and obesity in children? A scoping review protocol.

Adverse family-based lifestyle factors in the preconception period, pregnancy and early-childhood are major risk factors for childhood obesity and there is a growing consensus that early life interventions to prevent overweight and obesity in children are required. However, results from recent systematic reviews of preconception and pregnancy interventions have demonstrated mixed success. Therefore, this protocol presents a study aiming to summarise and evaluate complex preconception and pregnancy intervention components, process evaluation components, and authors' statements, with a view to improving our understanding regarding their success and informing design or adaptation of more effective interventions to prevent childhood obesity. A scoping review will be conducted, using the frameworks of the JBI and Arksey and O'Malley. A two-step approach will be used to identify relevant literature: (1) systematic searches will be conducted in the databases PubMed, Embase and CENTRAL to identify all eligible preconception and pregnancy trials with offspring data; and (2) CLUSTER searches will be conducted to find linked publications to eligible trials (follow-ups, process evaluation publications). Two researchers will independently select studies, chart, and synthesise data. A qualitative thematic analysis will be performed in which statements related to process evaluation components and authors' interpretations will be coded as "reasons". A descriptive analysis will be performed to evaluate intervention complexity using a complex intervention framework (AHRQ series; Medical Research Council guidance). The results of this study, which will be discussed with an expert group as part of a consultation stage, aim to identify gaps and inform the design or adaptation of future preconception and pregnancy interventions and approaches to potentially increase success rates. We expect that our results, which will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, will be of interest to researchers, families, and practitioners concerned with good preconception and prenatal care, and healthy child outcomes.

Application of a composite scoring protocol to identify factors that contribute to the risk of overweight and obesity in Irish children.

BACKGROUND: Investigations into the main drivers of childhood obesity are vital to implement effective interventions to halt the global rise in levels. The use of a composite score may help to identify children most at risk of overweight/obesity. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the cumulative impact of factors associated with overweight/obesity risk in children. METHODS: Data were analysed from the Irish National Children's Food Survey II which included 600 children, aged 5-12-years. The risk factors examined included social class, parental, early life, lifestyle, and dietary components. A composite score was calculated which ranged from 0 (no risk factors for overweight/obesity) to 4 (4 risk factors for overweight/obesity). RESULTS: In model 1 (%BF) the four factors associated with overweight/obesity risk were having a parent with overweight/obesity (odds ratio 3.1; 95% confidence interval 1.9-4.8), having a high birth weight of ≥4 kg (2.5; 1.6-3.9), being from a low social class (2.3; 1.4-3.8) and low physical activity (1.9; 1.2-2.8). Children who scored 3-4 points on the composite score had a 10-fold (10.0; 4.2-23.9) increased risk of overweight/obesity compared to those with 0 points, a sevenfold (7.2; 3.9-13.5) increased risk compared to those with 1 point and a threefold (2.6; 1.4-4.8) increased risk compared to those with 2 points, with similar results observed in model 2 (BMI). CONCLUSION: The use of a composite score is a beneficial means of identifying children at risk of overweight/obesity and may prove useful in the development of effective interventions to tackle childhood obesity.

Health literacy among self-help leprosy group members reduces stereotype endorsement and stigma-related harm in rural Nepal.

There is increasing appreciation that group memberships can have both beneficial and damaging impacts on health. In collaboration with Nepal Leprosy Trust (NLT), this longitudinal study explores a group-based approach to stigma reduction among people affected by leprosy in rural Nepal (N = 71)-a hard to reach and underrepresented non-WEIRD population. Informed by the 'social cure' literature, and the progressive model of self-stigma, we use a longitudinal design. We found that a sense of belonging to a self-help group can facilitate education in terms of health literacy, and over time these two factors also have impacts on participants stigma. Specifically, self-help group belonging predicted improvements in health literacy, leading to reduced endorsement of negative stereotypes and thus less stigma-related harm among people affected by leprosy. The study offers promising evidence that group-based interventions, which support health education, can reduce the harmful impact of stigma in very challenging contexts.

Stigma is associated with illness self-concept in individuals with concealable chronic illnesses.

OBJECTIVES: Previous research suggests that chronic illnesses can elicit stigma, even when those illnesses are concealable. Such stigmatization is assumed to lead to a stigmatized identity. Additionally, chronic illness affects one's self-concept, as one reconstructs a sense of self with illness incorporated. However, no research has examined the interplay between stigma and self-concept in those with concealable chronic illnesses. Therefore, we investigated the extent to which experienced, anticipated, and internalized stigma are associated with illness self-concept in individuals living with concealable chronic illnesses. Furthermore, we explored if the aforementioned aspects of stigma are associated with enrichment in the self-concept in the same cohort. DESIGN: An online correlational survey of people with concealable chronic illness (N = 446). METHODS: Participants completed self-report measures of chronic illness-specific measures of stigma and illness self-concept, both negative and positive. RESULTS: Results indicated that there is a positive relationship between experienced, anticipated, and internalized stigma and illness self-concept, indicating that stigma is associated with increased preoccupation and perceived impact of one's illness on the self. Although there is also a negative relationship between anticipated and internalized stigma and enrichment, only internalized stigma is associated with enrichment over and above the effects of control variables such as personal control. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings bridge the existing literature on illness self-concept and stigma for chronic illness groups, with a specific focus on those with concealable chronic illnesses. More varied approaches to coping with illness should be encouraged, including encouraging enrichment aspects to potentially act as a buffer between the effects of stigma and illness self-concept.

Risk of Iron Overload in Obesity and Implications in Metabolic Health.

Excessive adiposity is associated with several metabolic perturbations including disturbances in iron homeostasis. Increased systemic inflammation in obesity stimulates expression of the iron regulatory hormone hepcidin, which can result in a maldistribution of bodily iron, which may be implicated in metabolic dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the effect of adiposity and any associated inflammation on iron homeostasis and the potential implications of dysregulated iron metabolism on metabolic health. Analyses are based on a subsample from the cross-sectional Irish National Adult Nutrition Survey (2008-2010) (n = 1120). Ferritin status and risk of iron overload were determined based on established WHO ferritin ranges. Participants were classed as having a healthy % body fat or as having overfat or obesity based on age- and gender-specific % body fat ranges as determined by bioelectrical impedance. Biomarkers of iron status were examined in association with measures of body composition, serum adipocytokines and markers of metabolic health. Excessive % body fat was significantly associated with increased serum hepcidin and ferritin and an increased prevalence of severe risk of iron overload amongst males independent of dietary iron intake. Elevated serum ferritin displayed significant positive associations with serum triglycerides and markers of glucose metabolism, with an increased but non-significant presentation of metabolic risk factors amongst participants with overfat and obesity at severe risk of iron overload. Increased adiposity is associated with dysregulations in iron homeostasis, presenting as increased serum hepcidin, elevated serum ferritin and an increased risk of iron overload, with potential implications in impairments in metabolic health.

Identity processes and eating disorder symptoms during university adjustment: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Young people with eating disorders (EDs) and ED symptoms are at risk during university adjustment, suggesting a need to protect their health. The social identity approach proposes that people's social connections - and the identity-related behaviour they derive from them - are important for promoting positive health outcomes. However, there is a limited understanding as to how meaningful everyday connections, supported by affiliative identities, may act to reduce ED symptoms during a life transition. METHODS: Two hundred eighty-one first year university students with an ED or ED symptoms completed an online survey during the first month of university. Participants completed self-reported measures of affiliative identity, social support, injunctive norms and ED symptoms. Path analysis was used to test a hypothesised mediated model, whereby affiliative identity has a significant indirect relation with ED symptoms via social support and injunctive norms. RESULTS: Results support the hypothesised model. We show that affiliative identity predicts lower self-reported ED symptoms, because of its relation with social support and injunctive norms. CONCLUSIONS: The findings imply that affiliative identities have a positive impact on ED symptoms during university adjustment, because the social support derived from affiliative identity is associated with how people perceive norms around disordered eating. Our discussion emphasises the possibility of identity processes being a social cure for those at risk of ED symptoms.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Irish children between 1990 and 2019.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to examine the temporal prevalence of overweight and obesity in Irish children through different methodologies and evaluate the change in rates between 1990 and 2019. DESIGN: Anthropometric data from three Irish national food consumption surveys were used to examine the change in the prevalence of BMI and waist circumference-derived overweight and obesity levels. SETTING: Three cross-sectional food consumption surveys from the Republic of Ireland: the Irish National Nutrition Survey (1990), the National Children's Food Survey (2005) and The Second National Children's Food Survey (2019). PARTICIPANTS: A demographically representative sample of Irish children aged 5-12 years: 1990 (n 148), 2005 (n 594) and 2019 (n 596). RESULTS: Twelve percentage of children had overweight/obesity in 1990, which was significantly higher in 2005 at 25 % and significantly lower in 2019 at 16 % (P = 0·003). In 2019, more girls had overweight/obesity in comparison with boys (19 v. 14 %), whilst children from the lowest social class group had the highest levels of overweight/obesity (P = 0·019). Overall, the proportion of children with abdominal overweight/obesity was significantly lower in 2019 in comparison with 2005 (P ≤ 0·001). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence from the most recent national survey suggests that overweight and obesity levels are plateauing and in some cases reducing in children in Ireland. Despite this, rates remain high, with the highest prevalence in 2019 observed in girls and in those from the lowest social class group. Thus, overweight/obesity prevention and intervention policies are necessary and should be continued.

Stigma of eating disorders and recovery-related outcomes: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: People with eating disorders (EDs) tend to engage in behaviours that are ordinarily perceived as normal in society, such as restrictive dieting. However, when people are diagnosed with an ED, they may often feel stigmatized, which is likely to act as a barrier to recovery. To date, there is a limited understanding of how stigma of EDs impacts recovery-related outcomes. METHOD: A systematic search was performed using PsychINFO and PubMed. Multiple combined searches of terms relating to stigma, EDs, and recovery-related outcomes were conducted. PRISMA guidelines were followed throughout the selection process and resulted in nine studies meeting specific inclusion criteria. The extracted data are examined in a critical narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Our review suggested that across different samples and measures, stigmatization of EDs is negatively related to a range of factors important for recovery. These include psychological, social and physical health outcomes, ED psychopathology and treatment-seeking behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the quality assessment, it was concluded that future research would benefit from the use of research designs that can demonstrate causality and generalize findings across community samples. Therefore, in order to improve recovery-related outcomes, treatment plans must consider the type of ED stigma experienced and its relation with specific recovery-related outcomes.

Exposure to Domestic Violence and Abuse: Evidence of Distinct Physical and Psychological Dimensions.

Recent literature on exposure to domestic violence (DV) highlights the need for increased understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and abuse (DVA). The current aims were to explore whether two separate dimensions, physical and psychological DVA, were evident in adult children's reports of their exposure to DVA in their family of origin, and whether these dimensions affected psychological well-being and perceived satisfaction with emotional support (hereafter referred to as social support satisfaction). Young adults (N = 465, aged 17-25, 70% female) reported their experiences of DVA as perpetrated by their parents/caregivers, as well as psychological well-being and social support satisfaction, in an online survey. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), we verified the presence of a two-factor model (physical and psychological DVA). Hierarchical linear regression analysis demonstrated the differing impact of these two factors: Specifically, although exposure to psychological DVA (domestic abuse [DA]) was related to reduced psychological well-being, there was no significant effect of exposure to physical DVA (DV). However, mediation analysis suggested the presence of a suppression effect; there was a magnification of the negative relationship between exposure to psychological DA and social support satisfaction when exposure to physical DV was accounted for. Although findings are preliminary, they provide strong evidence to support theoretical arguments regarding the need for future research to conceptualize exposure to DVA in terms of both physical and psychological dimensions. Our findings also highlight that to improve service response and provide effective interventions, it is essential to include exposure to psychological DA in risk assessments of such young adults.

When and How Video Games Can Be Good: A Review of the Positive Effects of Video Games on Well-Being.

Video games are a source of entertainment for a wide population and have varied effects on well-being. The purpose of this article is to comprehensively examine game-play research to identify the factors that contribute to these disparate well-being outcomes and to highlight the potential positive effects. On the basis of existing literature, we argue that the effects of gaming on well-being are moderated by other variables, such as motivations for gaming and video-game characteristics. Specifically, the inclusion of social activity can benefit prosocial behaviors and affect the relationship between violent video games and aggression that some studies have demonstrated. Moreover, the research on the relationship between violent video games and aggression depends greatly on individual and sociocontextual variables outside of game play. The inclusion of physical activity in games can provide an improvement in physical health with high levels of enjoyment, potentially increasing adherence rates. Overall, following our review, we determined that the effects of gaming on well-being are moderated by and depend on the motivation for gaming, outside variables, the presence of violence, social interaction, and physical activity. Thus, we argue that there is potential for an "optimal gaming profile" that can be used in the future for both academic- and industry-related research.

Stigma predicts health-related quality of life impairment, psychological distress, and somatic symptoms in acne sufferers.

Acne vulgaris has been associated with deficits in psychological well-being and health-related quality of life. Few studies have investigated how stigma contributes to our understanding of the well-being of acne sufferers, although it is clear that acne is stigmatized and stigmatization is associated with impaired well-being. The current study aimed to investigate the ability of perceived stigma to predict health-related quality of life, psychological distress, and somatic symptoms over and above established predictors. University students and staff suffering from acne completed self-report measures online. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that perceived stigma significantly contributed to the prediction of all three well-being measures, over and above the effects of gender, acne severity, acne location, and use of medication. Indeed, perceived stigma made the largest unique contribution to predicting well-being. Our findings suggest that interventions that attempt to counter stigma could also improve the overall well-being of people affected by acne.

Restricted reproductive rights and risky sexual behaviour: How political disenfranchisement relates to women's sense of control, well-being and sexual health.

Few studies have investigated the role of disenfranchisement and denial of agency in women's sexual health. To address this, a cross-sectional study of disenfranchisement, control (general and reproductive control) and health was conducted in Ireland, where abortion is severely restricted. Multiple mediation models ( N = 513 women) indicated that general but not reproductive control mediates the association between disenfranchisement and psychological well-being. Additionally, serial mediation shows disenfranchisement is associated with lower sense of control, which is linked to poorer well-being and risky sexual behaviour. Disenfranchisement arising from socio-political contexts may have important implications for women's sexual health.

Family identification: a beneficial process for young adults who grow up in homes affected by parental intimate partner violence.

Exposure to parental intimate partner violence (parental IPV) is a complex trauma. Research within social psychology establishes that identification with social groups impacts positively on how we appraise, respond to and recover from traumatic events. IPV is also a highly stigmatized social phenomenon and social isolation is a major factor for families affected by IPV, yet strong identification with the family group may act as a beneficial psychological resource to young people who grew up in homes affected by IPV. The current study, an online survey of 355 students (M age = 20, 70% female), investigated if a psychosocial process, specifically identification with the family, may influence the relationship between the predictor, exposure to parental IPV, and outcomes, global self-esteem and state anxiety. Mediation analysis suggests that identification with the family has a positive influence on the relationship between exposure to parental IPV and psychological outcomes; exposure to parental IPV results in reduced family identification, but when family identification is strong it results in both reduced anxiety and increased self-esteem for young people. The findings highlight the importance of having a strong sense of belonging to the extended family for young people who were exposed to parental IPV, thus has implications for prevention, intervention, and social policy.

The impact of anticipated stigma on psychological and physical health problems in the unemployed group.

Previous research has demonstrated that the unemployed suffer increased psychological and physical health problems compared to their employed counterparts. Further, unemployment leads to an unwanted new social identity that is stigmatizing, and stigma is known to be a stressor causing psychological and physical health problems. However, it is not yet known whether being stigmatized as an unemployed group member is associated with psychological and physical health in this group. The current study tested the impact of anticipated stigma (AS) on psychological distress (PD) and physical health problems, operationalized as somatic symptoms (SSs), in a volunteer sample of unemployed people. Results revealed that AS had a direct effect on both PD and SSs, such that greater AS significantly predicted higher levels of both. Moreover, the direct effect on SSs became non-significant when PD was taken into account. Thus, to the extent that unemployed participants anticipated experiencing greater stigma, they also reported increased PD, and this PD predicted increased SSs. Our findings complement and extend the existing literature on the relationships between stigmatized identities, PD and physical health problems, particularly in relation to the unemployed group. This group is important to consider both theoretically, given the unwanted and transient nature of the identity compared to other stigmatized identities, but also practically, as the findings indicate a need to orient to the perceived valence of the unemployed identity and its effects on psychological and physical health.