Impact on Individuals

Individuals who have suffered discrimmination can feel disempowerment. They will feel a lack of control in their life, particularly if they are in  residential care where they are dependent on a carer who is abusing them. 

Self-esteem and self-confidence can be destroyed by discrimmination, leading to an individual feeling worthless.

An individual's wellbeing may be affected; they may become withdrawn and isolate themselves to avoid the situation, feeling frightened about further discrimmination and ill-treatment.

Health problems can develop, such as high blood pressure or anxiety, and if the individual is already ill, their condition may deteriorate and their recovery may be delayed.

Physical abuse can have serious, and in some cases be fatal, consequences. The effects do not occur in isolation; they are interrelated.

For example, if a nurse exeriances bullying in the workplace it can lead to loss of concentration when completing tasks, due to worry and stress. Socially the nurse may become withdrawn and not want to go to work, or they can become agitated or agressive with other staff or patients. This could reduce confidence causing further emotional effects such as the nurse becoming fustrated and developing low self-esteem.