Dark secrets and impression management : workplace masks of people with multiple sclerosis (MS)

Goffman (1959) described dark secrets as crucial, often stigmatising, facts about an individual that are hidden from others. He also identified impression management as a means of controlling the assessments others make, with passing and covering being identified forms of impression management used by those wanting to hide stigma. Findings from an exploratory phenomenological study conducted in Sydney, Australia, revealed another form of impression management not previously identified: Masking. Masking was used by workers with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) to hide their MS-related experiences even though they had, in each of the cases shared, disclosed that they had MS at their place of work. Respondents presented several workplace “masks” to hide the impacts of having MS: (1) I’m Fine!; (2) I’m Happy!; and, (3) “I’m Better than the Others!”. Masking is suggested to be an unhelpful strategy, for the person doing it and their employer, but the alternative is also problematic. Further research into the phenomenon of masking is recommended.