The mediating role of religiosity and hope for the effect of self-stigma on psychological well-being among COVID-19 patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Over the past few months, there has been a significant increase in mortality and morbidity due to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Less attention has been paid to stigmatism, psychological well-being, hope, and religiosity, and how these may impact a patient’s recovery. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to detect the difference in religiosity, hope, self-stigma, and psychological well-being (PWB) due to demographic variables (age, education level, social status, and level of income). Additionally, the research sought to test the mediation role of religiosity and hope in the relationship between self-stigma and psychological well-being among COVID-19 patients. METHOD: A random sample of 426 COVID-19 patients answered an online questionnaire that contained four scales (Religiosity, Hope, stigma, and PWB). The data collected from the study participants were analyzed quantitatively by using One-way ANOVA, Exploratory Factor Analysis EFA, Confirmatory Factor Analysis CFA, and Structural Equation Model (IBM SPSS statistics 21, and Amos v.25). RESULTS: The current results showed statistically significant differences due to age in hope and well-being, in favor of the sample members belonging to the age group from 30 years old and over old, while there were no differences in religiosity and stigma due to age. There were no differences due to education level in religiosity, hope, stigma, and well-being. Results showed statistically significant differences in well-being in favor of the married group, while there were no differences in religiosity, hope, and stigma due to social status. Regarding the effect of income level in the study variables, the results showed no differences due to religiosity, hope, stigma, and well-being. Moreover, the findings found that both religiosity and hope play a mediating role. CONCLUSION: Religiosity and hope play a mediating role in the relationship between stigma associated with COVID-19 and psychological well-being. These results indicate several strategies to reduce the adverse effects of the stigma associated with COVID-19 and increase well-being among COVID-19 patients.

The Role of Spirituality and Religiosity in Healthcare During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Integrative Review of the Scientific Literature

“…In the same line, (Al Eid et al, 2021 ) showed that religiosity had a direct positive effect on the psychological well-being of COVID-19 patients, suggesting that the greater the individual’s religiosity, the greater his psychological well-being.…”

The scar that takes time to heal: A systematic review of COVID-19-related stigma targets, antecedents, and outcomes

“…Stigma negatively affects (suspected) patients' and survivors' mental health because the stigmatized perceive themselves as alienated, isolated, and belonging to a devalued group and perceive stigma as unfair. Indeed, empirical findings generally show that stigma harms (suspected) patients' and survivors' mental health and leads to issues like depression (Liu D. et al, 2020 ; Xin et al, 2020 ; Grover et al, 2021 ; Harjana et al, 2021 ; Jayakody et al, 2021 ; Kang et al, 2021 ; Yuan et al, 2021 ), anxiety (Liu D. et al, 2020 ; Atinga et al, 2021 ; Gopichandran and Subramaniam, 2021 ; Grover et al, 2021 ; Harjana et al, 2021 ; Jayakody et al, 2021 ; Kang et al, 2021 ), mental health disorders (Adom et al, 2021 ; Miconi et al, 2021a ; Paleari et al, 2021 ), lower well-being (Ransing et al, 2020 ; Al Eid et al, 2021 ; Paleari et al, 2021 ; Sahoo and Patel, 2021 ), PTSD (Liu D. et al, 2020 ; Grover et al, 2021 ; Kang et al, 2021 ; Mahmoudi et al, 2021 ; Poyraz et al, 2021 ; Gan et al, 2022 ), and even self-harm or suicide (Ransing et al, 2020 ; Xin et al, 2020 ; Sahoo and Patel, 2021 ). For example, in a large sample involving more than 20,000 Chinese students, one study found that perceived discrimination due to COVID-19 is positively related to self-harm or suicidal ideation (Xin et al, 2020 ).…”

Spiritual needs during COVID 19 pandemic in the perceptions of Spanish emergency critical care health professionals

“…The role of spirituality in coping with stressful situations is highlighted here again, since positive religious coping can lead to thinking positively about adverse events and help reduce depressive and/or stressful symptoms ( Mahamid & Bdier, 2021 ). Furthermore, hope could act as a buffer against the anxiety and stress of the virus pandemic caused by the closure of COVID or social distancing ( Al Eid et al, 2021 ). Since such limitations were imposed, religious support suffered important consequences and the religious rituals and needs during hospitalisation were impaired.…”