COVID-19-related stigma and its sociodemographic correlates: a comparative study

Abstract

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is closely associated with physical and mental health problems; however, little is known about the severity of stigma caused by COVID-19 among its survivors. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare differences in stigma experiences of COVID-19 survivors versus healthy controls after the COVID-19 outbreak peak in China. Methods This cross-sectional study comprised 154 COVID-19 survivors and 194 healthy controls recruited through consecutive and convenience sampling methods, respectively. COVID-19 related stigma was measured by the Social Impact Scale (SIS). Stigma differences between the two groups were compared with analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and a generalized linear model (GLM) was used to identify independent correlates of COVID-19-related stigma in this study. Results Compared with healthy controls, COVID-19 survivors reported more overall stigma (F(1,347) = 60.82, p < 0.001), and stigma in domains of social rejection (F(1,347) = 56.54, p < 0.001), financial insecurity (F(1,347) = 19.96, p < 0.001), internalized shame (F(1,347) = 71.40, p < 0.001) and social isolation (F(1,347) = 34.73, p < 0.001). Status as a COVID-19 survivor, having family members infected with COVID-19, being married, economic loss during the COVID-19 pandemic, and depressive symptoms were positively associated with higher overall stigma levels (all p values < 0.05). Conclusion COVID-19-related stigma is commonly experienced among COVID-19 survivors even though the outbreak has been well-contained in China. Routine assessment of stigma experiences should be conducted on COVID-19 survivors and appropriate psychological assistance, public education, and anti-stigma campaigns and policies should be enforced to reduce stigma within this vulnerable subpopulation.

Perceived-stigma level of COVID-19 patients in China in the early stage of the epidemic: A cross-sectional research

“…For instance, government and hospital authorities should make operational strategies to provide mental healthcare for the quarantined young individuals [33]. However, Yuan et al conducted a study to compare differences in perceived stigma between COVID-19 survivors and healthy controls, and the results didn't suggest the effect of age on the level of stigma [37].…”

Stigma Masyarakat Terhadap Penyintas Covid-19 Di Kecamatan Duren Sawit, Jakarta Timur

“…Sejalan dengan penelitian di Wuhan, Cina bahwa emosi negatif seperti ketakutan akan kematian dan menularkan kepada anggota keluarga lainnya, depresi, stres dan kecemasan, perasaan bersalah dan marah, kekhawatiran pekerjaan, harapan hidup yang rendah dan perkiraan masa depan yang tidak dapat diprediksi dipandang negatif pada penderita COVID-19 (Yuan et al, 2021). Hasil penelitian di India menyatakan bahwa dibutuhkan peran professional untuk kesehatan mental yang dilibatkan dalam menangani pasien COVID-19 mulai dari skrining, saat isolasi bahkan sampai dinyatakan sembuh atau menjadi penyintas (World Health Organization, 2020).…”

Post-COVID-19 Perceived Stigma-Discrimination Scale: Psychometric Development and Evaluation

“…The stigma-discrimination complex related to COVID-19 (COVID-19-SDC) is associated with depressive complaints (Yuan et al, 2021), psychotic symptoms (Baral et al, 2021), and high suicidal risk (Campo-Arias et al, 2021). A routine evaluation of COVID-19-SDC should be carried out among COVID-19 survivors; this strategy is needed to measure the frequency of the phenomenon and implement the necessary actions to mitigate the negative impact (Li et al, 2020;Yuan et al, 2021). Valid and reliable instruments to quantify COVID-19-SDC are necessary to implement among the growing population of COVID-19 survivors (Dar et al, 2020).…”

“…This work contributes to a greater understanding and appropriate measurement of COVID-19-SDC (Campo-Arias, 2021b). A valid, reliable, and non-gender biased instrument helps measure the effect of interventions to reduce COVID-19-SDC in further researches (Cassiani-Miranda et al, 2020;Li et al, 2020;Yuan et al, 2021).…”