Abstract
BackgroundCoronavirus 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.MethodsThis 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.ResultsCompared 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).ConclusionCOVID-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.
Highlights
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first reported in Wuhan, Hubei province, China at the end of 2019, and subsequently emerged in other parts of the world [66, 67]
Correlates of overall stigma on COVID-19 Univariate analyses revealed that being COVID-19 survivors, having family members infected with COVID-19, gender, marital status, education level, employment status, perceptions of online mental service, economic loss, frequency of social media use and perceived health
generalized linear model (GLM) analysis revealed that, apart from being COVID-19 survivors, having family members infected with COVID-19, married marital status, economic loss during the COVID-19 pandemic, and depressive symptoms were positively associated with greater overall stigma
Summary
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first reported in Wuhan, Hubei province, China at the end of 2019, and subsequently emerged in other parts of the world [66, 67]. Discrimination refers to the act of identifying and treating members of stigmatized groups unfairly compared to members of majority groups [4, 5, 9]. Persons who perceive they are being stigmatized may report guilt, selfblaming behaviour, self-depreciation, self-isolation, low self-esteem, and being excluded or ignored by others [35]. Stigma is closely associated with mental health problems depression. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is closely associated with physical and mental health problems; little is known about the severity of stigma caused by COVID-19 among its survivors. 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
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