Understanding the Social Consequences of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: The Effects of Stigma and Gender

Abstract

Stigma is a social construction that defines people in terms of a distinguishing characteristic or mark, and devalues them as a consequence. Stigma occurs when society labels someone as tainted, less desirable, or handicapped. There is emerging evidence that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a physical condition with social consequences. The valuing, and devaluing, of individuals within society are social judgments that have roots in sociocultural values and beliefs. Cultural norms and values dictate the distinct roles and behaviors that are expected of men and women in a given culture. Social reactions to individuals with COPD can have an effect on their illness experience. This article explores the relationships between COPD and stigma and gender, particularly how these key elements may interact to affect experiences of individuals with COPD within their social milieu. The aim of this article is to begin to set out questions and issues that require further empirical exploration. The stigma of COPD arises because people are held responsible for their disease, are noted to have engaged in a stigmatized behavior (smoking), are marked with oxygen equipment and bodily changes, and experience a disruption in their social interactions.

Palliative Care for Patients Dying in the Intensive Care Unit with Chronic Lung Disease Compared with Metastatic Cancer

“…This recognition demonstrates a shift in focus from the "cure versus no cure" mind-set toward acknowledging the importance of assessing and addressing symptom burden, diminished quality of life, and social isolation that patients with chronic lung disease experience (3,(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28). Studies outside the ICU setting demonstrate that patients with chronic lung disease experience a high burden of diverse symptoms that impact their quality Bold values indicate significance set at P < 0.05.…”

Health-Related Quality of Life in Iranian Breast Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study

“…Stigma occurs when society labels someone as tainted, less desirable or handicapped (Johnson et al 2007). …”

Ethical analysis of the justifiability of labelling with COPD for smoking cessation

“…Another potential disadvantage—negative consequences of stigmatisation of individuals with COPD—was also not put forward as an argument. A stigma is often associated with diseases that lead to serious observable consequences 26. The participants from this study, however, had mild to moderate COPD.…”

“…The prescription of expensive inhaled medication results in considerable treatment costs and may also prevent patients from using non-pharmacological treatments that are known to be effective, in particular smoking cessation. Another counterargument is that the act of labelling itself may lead to unnecessary patient worry and stigmatisation; individuals with COPD may experience negative reactions due to the perceived self-inflicted nature of their disease (ie, their own smoking behaviour) 26. This process may lead to feelings of embarrassment and ultimately social isolation in affected individuals 26…”