This work was supported by a grant from Shalem Fund
This study examines the relationship between internalized stigma, trust in state institutions, and public service utilization among Arab parents of children with intellectual disabilities (ID) in Israel. Based on data from a sample of 235 parents (124 Arabs and 111 Jews), the study found that internalized stigma is associated with reduced public service use, while trust in state institutions correlates with increased service utilization. No significant differences were found between Arab and Jewish populations, possibly due to modernization and the availability of public services in Israel, which minimize national disparities.
Keywords: Internalized stigma, trust in institutions, intellectual disabilities, public services, Arab parents, national disparities, comparative research.