Ethnicity and self-reported experiences of stigma in adults with intellectual disability in Cape Town, South Africa A. Ali, 1 E. Kock, 2 C. Molteno, 3 N. Mfiki, 4 M. King 1 & A. Strydom 1 1 Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK 2 Western Cape Forum for Intellectual Disability, Alexandra Hospital, Maitland, South Africa 3 Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, South Africa 4 Alexandra Hospital, Maitland, South Africa Abstract Background Studies have shown that individuals with intellectual disability (ID) are aware of stigma and are able to describe experiences of being treated negatively. However, there have been no cross- cultural studies examining whether self-reported experiences of stigma vary between ethnic groups. Method Participants with mild and moderate ID were recruited from a number of different settings in Cape Town, South Africa. Self-reported experi- ences of stigma in three ethnic groups were meas- ured using the South African version of the Perceived Stigma of Intellectual Disability tool, developed by the authors. One-way  was used to test whether there were differences in the total stigma score between the ethnic groups. Regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with stigma. Results A total of  participants agreed to take part;  were Black,  were of mixed ethnicity and  were Caucasian. There were no differences in the levels of stigma reported by the three groups but the Black African ethnic group were more likely to report being physically attacked and being stared at, but were also more likely to report that they thought they were ‘the same as other people’. There was an interaction effect between ethnicity and level of ID, with participants with mild ID from the Black African group reporting higher levels of stigma compared with those with moderate ID. Younger age was the only factor that was associated with stigma but there was a trend towards ethnicity, additional disability and socio-economic status being related to stigma. Conclusion Interventions should target the Black African community in South Africa and should include the reduction of both public stigma and self-reported stigma. Keywords discrimination, ethnicity, intellectual disability, negative attitudes, stigma Introduction Conceptualising stigma People with intellectual disability (ID) are one of the most stigmatised and excluded groups in society (European Union Monitoring and Advocacy Program ) and are more likely to be subjected to physical violence compared the general popula- tion (Hughes et al. ). The conceptualisation of Correspondence: Dr Afia Ali, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, nd Floor, Charles Bell House, - Riding House Street, London WW EY, UK (e-mail: afia.ali@ucl.ac.uk). Journal of Intellectual Disability Research doi: 10.1111/jir.12158     pp –   530 ©  MENCAP and International Association of the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and John Wiley & Sons Ltd