Abstract: Coping with stigma refers to a dynamic process in which the stigmatized make use of diverse coping strategies to manage discounting labels from society. Researches in this field are witnessing a transition from the perspective of the stigmatizer to the perspective of the stigmatized, which highlights the stigmatized as active responders.Currently, there are three influential theoretical approaches in the field: the trading-off approach, the identity threat approach, and the person-environment interaction approach. The implications of such research are discussed in relation to intervening with the mental health of the stigmatized, and to improving regulations and policies towards helping the stigmatized. It is suggested that the researches in this field should pay more attention to the concealable stigmas, to an action-based studies, and to collecting data by combining with quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as to the longitudinal studies.

Key words: coping with stigma,trading-off approach, identity threat approach, person-environment interaction approach