Discovering obstacles encountered by individuals with disabilities

Melissa Shang intended to pursue a career as a disability rights lawyer and was focused on studying sociology on a prelaw path. Upon her arrival at Harvard, she swiftly discovered a new direction.

“My primary motivation for entering disability rights law was to assist individuals with disabilities,” stated Shang, who suffers from a degenerative nerve condition known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. “I realized that I could fulfill that goal within the sphere of psychology.”

Transitioning her major enabled the native of Waltham, Massachusetts, to deeply examine the challenges faced by over 70 million Americans who report one or multiple disabilities. Her senior thesis, which is based on a wealth of original survey data, investigated the proposition that experiencing what social scientists refer to as “minority stressors” correlates with an elevated risk of suicidal ideation and attempts among people with disabilities.

Shang contended that the relationship between minority stressors and suicidal actions stemmed from “increased perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness.” She also aimed to validate that a stronger “positive disability identity and engagement with the community” could mitigate the impact.

As per thesis adviser Mina Cikara, the Fredric Wertham Professor of Law and Psychiatry in Society, Shang pinpointed a “significant void” in the research and literature of the field. “It’s extraordinarily valuable work,” Cikara remarked.

Upon her arrival at Harvard, Shang promptly began to build her own campus community. Her initial endeavor was co-founding the Harvard University Disability Justice Club. The officially recognized student organization, established during Shang’s inaugural semester, has expanded to 140 active members.

“I always perceived advocacy work to be somewhat solitary, but having this community has been incredibly empowering,” stated Shang.

“I always perceived advocacy work to be somewhat solitary, but having this community has been incredibly empowering.”

Melissa Shang

The Leverett House resident subsequently developed a fondness for the Harvard Noteables, a student-run, audition-free Broadway show choir, after attending a single rehearsal in her first year.

“I began attending more rehearsals, and I realized it was an inclusive space, in stark contrast to the environment I encountered back at my high school,” Shang remarked. “The sense of inclusion, accessibility, and community fostered by this club — it rekindled my passion for singing — has been exceptional.”

In her academic sessions, Shang’s formative years involved seeking answers to critical inquiries within the realm of disability studies. “I began to comprehend the mental health system for individuals with disabilities and how inaccessible it could be,” Shang shared. “Finding providers who are informed about disabilities can be extraordinarily challenging, and numerous individuals are denied mental health services due to their disability needs.”

She also learned how little focus the issue has garnered from scholars. “Upon reviewing the research conducted on systemic barriers for people with disabilities, I discovered a striking lack of studies addressing it,” she recounted.

As a sophomore, Shang enrolled in Cikara’s research methods course, which proved to be a crucial choice. The course introduced Shang to Cikara’s work, which later aided her in identifying a range of minority stressors to explore in her thesis, including discrimination, internalized stigma, and identity concealment.

Cikara initially advised Shang against her “immensely ambitious plan” of reaching out to various disability organizations for assistance in distributing surveys to those they serve. However, Shang remained undeterred. Ultimately, this approach allowed her to survey hundreds of Americans with disabilities regarding their mental health experiences.

“This is a testament to her determination,” Cikara commented. “She just went for it. She tirelessly pursued it. She gathered over 200 responses from individuals across the nation, many of whom have diverse disabilities. That was no small accomplishment.”

Ultimately, Shang’s results only partially corroborated her hypothesis that stigma experienced by individuals with disabilities is related to suicidal behavior. Shang indicated that “internalized stigma” was one factor found to be associated with suicidal actions. Nevertheless, the project still represents a significant contribution, according to Cikara.

“What she’s accomplished has laid the groundwork for the field with this remarkable pilot dataset which she could expand for years to come,” she stated.

Shang’s forthcoming phase takes her to a clinical psychology doctoral program at Oregon State University. She intends to continue researching individuals with disabilities, their experiences within the mental health system, and the myriad barriers they confront.

“Since individuals with disabilities hold immense value in society,” Shang affirmed, “it’s crucial to persist in research that assesses their experiences and mental well-being — and to actively strive to better support them and enhance the treatment they receive.”