A systematic review on the cultural factors associated with stigma during pandemics

Abstract

Both public stigma and perceived self-stigma are prevalent during pandemics threatening a divide among the global community. This systematic review examined the cultural factors associated with viral respiratory-related pandemic stigma. Following PRISMA guidelines, the keywords, “culture, stigma, and pandemic” were searched across relevant databases for empirical papers between January 2000 to March 2022. Quality assessment and coding were adopted in the screening process. Thirty-one articles were included in the final analysis. Themes revealed that collectivistic values, cultural identities, and non-western regions were associated with public (others) stigma; mismatch of cultural values, minority groups, and North America, Asia, Oceania, and African regions were associated with higher perceived and self-stigma. We further mapped the themes into a proposed systemic cultural stigma model to integrate the dynamic intersection of cultural values, identity, and ecology. The cultural factors and their influence on stigma were then explained by drawing on two evolutionary theories: Cultural rationality theory and scapegoating theory. Lastly, we proposed culturally sensitive and responsive practices for stigma management at the community level, especially in non-Western regions during the pandemic recovery phase.

The effect of parental regulatory focus on the loneliness stigma of college children

“…Previous studies have delved into the root causes of stigma from the perspectives of culture, policy, individual factors, and situational factors [10,11]. With these, motivational factors have attracted increasing attention among scholars [12].…”

Asian Americans’ intention to seek help: The mediating influence of self-stigma on the theory of planned behavior.

“…In these settings, group and familial identities hold greater significance, and the concern that mental health challenges could be perceived as detrimental to their community is a pertinent concern (Masuda et al, 2009). A pattern identified in the research carried out in non-Western Asian cultures, such as South Asian and Chinese cultures, is that self-stigma resulted from feeling blamed by the majority group, ultimately leading to a diminished sense of control over one’s quality of life (Zay Hta et al, 2023). This underscores our interest in investigating the role of self-stigma as a mediator between subjective norms and the intention to seek help.…”

“…Likewise, we propose that subjective norms exert influence through an awareness of stigmatizing stereotypes. While there are cultures with a prevailing emphasis on individualism and the pursuit of personal goals and beliefs, the impact of perceived judgment from significant others is notably heightened within the collectivistic settings frequently encountered by Asian individuals (Zay Hta et al, 2023). In these settings, group and familial identities hold greater significance, and the concern that mental health challenges could be perceived as detrimental to their community is a pertinent concern (Masuda et al, 2009).…”

COVID-19-related self-stigma: association with vulnerability and trust in institutions

“…Über zwei Jahre beeinträchtigte die COVID-19-Pandemie das gesellschaftliche Leben und führte nicht nur zu zahlreichen Todesfällen, sondern hatte viele weitere dramatische gesundheitliche und soziale Folgen. Eine weniger beachtete Konsequenz sind die Stigmatisierungsprozesse, die im Kontext von Pandemien auftreten [ 1 ]. Unter Stigmatisierung wird ein Prozess verstanden, bei dem Individuen oder Gruppen mit negativen Attributen belegt, hierdurch diskreditiert werden und ihnen die soziale Akzeptanz verweigert wird [ 2 ].…”