Issue Of Stigma Research Articles

Effect of Behavioral Activation on Stigma and Quality of Life in Patients With Advanced Esophageal and Gastric Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Esophageal cancer and gastric cancer patients require researchers' attention to address and resolve the issue of stigma. The aim of this study was to investigate whether behavioral activation (BA), an emerging psychosocial intervention method, can mitigate the stigma experienced by these patients and enhance their quality of life (QoL). One hundred fifty-three patients with advanced esophageal cancer and gastric cancer were recruited and randomly assigned to either the BA plus care as usual group (BA+CAU group) or the care as usual group (CAU group). Pre- and post-intervention questionnaires, including the Social Impact Scale (SIS), as well as all functional areas and global health and QoL modules from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30, version3). Generalized estimating equation analysis revealed that compared to usual care alone, combining BA with usual care significantly reduced stigma (time-by-group interaction, T1: β=-10.584, p<0.001; T2: β=-22.619, p<0.001) while improving physical, role, emotional, social functioning and global health and QoL particularly at T2 time point. Additionally, it also has the potential to decelerate the progressive decline of cognitive functioning. Furthermore, correlation analysis demonstrated a significant association between stigma levels and all functional areas as well as global health and QoL. The issue of stigma among esophageal cancer and gastric cancer patients warrants increased attention due to its close relationship with patient QoL. This study presents a promising psychosocial intervention approach suitable for clinical application that deserves further promotion among cancer patients. NCT06348940.

The Relationship Between Self-Stigma and Subjective Well-Being in Tuberculosis Patients

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) sufferers often face psychosocial problems in the form of stigma. Stigma contributes to psychological morbidity. Morbidity impacts psychological well-being. This research aims to determine the relationship between stigma and subjective well-being in tuberculosis at the Klakah Community Health Center, Lumajang Regency. This study is correlative research with a cross-sectional approach. The population in this study was Tuberculosis Patients at the Klakah Lumajang Community Health Center in 2024. The sample was adjusted based on the Slovin formula to 37 respondents. The side technique used is purposive sampling. Data was collected using the validated The Van Rie tuberculosis stigma scale and The BBC subjective well-being scale questionnaires. Data analysis in this study used Spearman Rho. The results showed that almost half of tuberculosis patients had a high level of Self-Stigma (45.9%), almost half of them had a low level of subjective well-being (43.2%). Data analysis shows that there is a significant relationship between Self-Stigma and subjective well-being in tuberculosis patients (p-value = 0.000; α = 0.05; r = -0.874) which shows a relationship with a strong negative correlation level which means that self- Low stigma will have implications for increasing subjective well-being. The psychosocial health issue of stigma appears to be one of the most important issues that must be addressed to avoid its enormous and negative impact on health promotion.

Prenatal weight stigma can affect relationship quality and maternal health outcomes

BackgroundWeight stigma is defined as negative misconception and stereotypes associated with weight, and it is commonly experienced during pregnancy. Weight stigma during pregnancy may be sourced from trusted close relationships including family members, partners, and friends. Social support is a necessary psychosocial factor for optimal health and wellbeing throughout pregnancy, and weight stigma sourced from these integral relationships may negatively affect health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of weight stigma from close others on maternal health outcomes.MethodsA survey was administered via Qualtrics to pregnant women (≥ 13 weeks, residence within the United States or Canada, ≥ 18 years old, singleton pregnancy). During pregnancy, participants completed questionnaires identifying whether they had experienced weight stigma from a close relationship (i.e., family, partners, or friends), how often, and relationship quality scales for each source. At three months postpartum, they were surveyed about their pregnancy outcomes including gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, chronic pain, anxiety/depression. They also completed the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), and a linear regression was performed with frequency of weight stigma. Logistic regressions were performed between frequency of weight stigma and health outcomes. If significant, relationship quality was tested as a potential mediator. Significance was accepted as p < 0.05.Results463 participants completed both surveys of which 86% had experienced weight stigma from close others. Frequency of weight stigma was significantly associated with chronic pain (β = 0.689, p < 0.001), and anxiety/depression (β = 0.404, p = 0.005). The relationship between frequency of weight stigma in pregnancy and chronic pain was mediated by quality of all relationships. Family relationship quality mediated between frequency of weights stigma and anxiety/depression. Frequency of weight stigma was significantly associated with depression symptom severity measured by the EPDS (β = 0.634, p < 0.001).ConclusionThese findings underscore the issue of weight stigma and show that experiencing this from trusted close others is associated with poor health outcomes like chronic pain. Advocacy efforts to mitigate weight stigma in pregnancy and strengthen close relationships to improve maternal health and wellbeing is warranted.

Assessment of female students' perception on access and utilization of water and sanitation facilities for menstruation management in higher education institutions in Uganda

AbstractThe main purpose of this study was to assess female students' perception of access and utilization of water and sanitation facilities for menstruation management in HEIs. A qualitative research design was embraced, and it was exploratory while gathering responses from the participating respondents using semi‐structured interviews, focus group discussions and observation from course coordinators from six faculties, students guild leadership, and selected university managers who were purposively selected and regarded to be more knowledgeable with university affairs as far as learners' social welfare was concerned. The study found that many students did not have adequate access to water and sanitation facilities for menstruation management. They also lack adequate menstrual hygiene management education and their rights to sanitation and water facilities for menstruation management in terms of the menstrual cycle, the importance of washing body parts, and the issue of stigma during the menstruation period. The study recommended that the Directorate of Gender at the university should review and work very closely with the Department of Estates and Works to improve the maintenance and provision of water and sanitation facilities for menstruation management.

Stigmatization of epilepsy

Epilepsy belongs to one of the most ancient diseases. From the days of yore, patients suffering from epilepsy faced stigma and discrimination because medical knowledge at that time was limited so that such condition was associated with various mystical and mythical phenomena, with no treatment available. The article extensively examines the issue of epilepsy stigma, covering the long history of the disease and highlighting stigma as a serious social problem. Many epileptic patients suffer not only from the disease symptoms but also from social discrimination, which profoundly lowers their quality of life and leads to social maladjustment. Unfortunately, epilepsy stigma has not disappeared completely and persists not only in developing but also in developed countries. We demonstrate the relevance of the problem and the need to increase relevant awareness. The times when epileptic patients were considered possessed by evil spirits and incurable are long gone, so any form of social discrimination against such people is unacceptable in modern society.

Understanding the complex health needs of people with problematic drug/alcohol use: a qualitative enquiry

ABSTRACT Background The Northeast of England faces severe health disparities, increased drug and alcohol use, and significant inequality impacts. This study aimed to extend understanding of the health needs of people associated with drug and alcohol misuse and to identify the barriers and facilitators to meeting these specific needs. Method A mixed method approach was used, which included a tailored behavioral insights survey (n = 38) and semi-structured interviews with eight service users recruited via a Treatment and Recovery service in the Northeast of England. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively, and qualitative data with thematic analysis. Findings The study highlighted several health priority areas, with acute mental health issues being a primary difficulty for service users. The thematic analysis generated four themes illustrating the central barriers and facilitators affecting the fulfillment of health and wellbeing needs among service users: Positive environments and supportive relationships facilitated engagement, whilst stigma, internalized norms, and practicality issues were pertinent barriers. Conclusion The results suggest the critical need for strategic changes, including the co-location of services at user-preferred centers, reducing economic challenges. While also addressing the issue of stigma, focusing on raising professional awareness and addressing personal beliefs among service users regarding healthcare services.

How does Stigma Affect the Mental Health and Overall Well-Being of Individuals with Physical Disabilities? What is the Difference Cross Country (China and America)

This study examines the understudied issue of stigma and how it affects people with physical impairments' mental health and overall well-being in China and America. The study investigates how stigma is felt and internalized and how it impacts the mental health of people with physical limitations. The influence of cultural norms and social perspectives on impairments on mental health outcomes and stigma experiences in these two different cultural contexts is also investigated. The intersectionality theory is used in the study to comprehend how many facets of identity, including disability, interact and influence stigma experiences and mental health consequences. It acknowledges the nuanced role that identity dynamics and group classifications play in shaping stigma experiences in both China and the United States. Utilizing surveys and semi-structured interviews, the study technique combines quantitative and qualitative methodologies to capture a thorough picture of stigma, physical disability, and mental health in both nations. Considerations for sampling guarantee variety and an adequate sample size. To evaluate stigma and mental health, the study uses standardized measurements emphasizing coping skills and social support. Research instruments are culturally appropriated and translated to ensure they are pertinent for Chinese and American participants. The complicated link between stigma and mental health across cultural contexts is explored through data analysis, which includes statistical assessment and thematic analysis. This study advances theoretical knowledge by shedding light on the intricate relationship between stigma, physical impairment, and mental health. It broadens the corpus of research in stigma studies and offers cross-cultural insights into how social perspectives and cultural norms affect stigma experiences. The study has practical ramifications for mental health professionals and legislators, providing culturally informed therapies and raising awareness of the stigma associated with disabilities. In the end, this study offers the foundation for creating more inclusive communities and enhancing the quality of life for people with physical impairments in various cultural contexts.

A video-based intervention to overcome pregnancy smoking stigma among healthcare students: a randomised controlled trial.

This study tests a video intervention to reduce pregnancy smoking stigma among French healthcare students. The participants were randomly selected to watch online either an experimental video (presenting educational content regarding stigma and contact with pregnant smokers) or a control video (presenting standard educational content about the risks of smoking). The students completed scales assessing stigma, intention to address smoking cessation and self-efficacy to do so, before the intervention (T0, n = 252), one week after the intervention (T1, n = 187), and one month after the intervention (T2, n = 131). Compared to the medical students, especially men, the midwifery students reported lower derogative cognitions (η2p = .18), negative behaviours (η2p = .07) and personal distress (η2p = .06). However, the midwifery students also reported lower levels of intention to address smoking (η2p = .02) than the medical students. The experimental video decreased derogative cognitions to a greater extent than the control video (η2p = .23) in both the short and medium term. This study is the first intervention designed to reduce the stigmatisation of pregnant smokers by healthcare students. We recommend that the issue of stigma should receive more attention in the medical curriculum.

Alleviating Help-Seeking Stigma Among Depressed College Students Through Shadow Social Marketing: A Meso-Level Intervention to a Wicked Problem

Background The current study addresses the issue of societal stigma attached to mental health issues of college students, which strongly suppress their attempts at help-seeking. Focus of the Article ✓We design a meso-level midstream intervention to effect a behavior change of mentally depressed students, who, due to internalized societal stigma attached to mental health issues, strongly evade help-seeking. ✓We use theoretical arguments and formative research to design a shadow social marketing (SSM) meso-intervention to normalize help-seeking behavior of individuals suffering from mental health issues. ✓We perform field-testing of our intervention to ascertain its comparative efficacy against two competing micro-interventions. Research Question To address a complex problem that does not have a direct, clear-cut solution at either the micro or the macro level, we investigate, in this study, whether an SSM meso-intervention performs better than micro-interventions in alleviating social stigma attached to mental health issues. Its primary benefit is to establish a connection between the micro and the macro levels. Importance to the Social Marketing Field Social marketing scholarship underscores a number of undesirable consequences of micro-level social marketing interventions that directly target individuals who suffer from mental depression, because their attempts at help-seeking are grossly suppressed by societal stigma attached to mental health issues. Our study contributes to the understanding of how the SSM meso-intervention could serve as a better alternative to direct interventions in normalizing help-seeking behaviour of affected individuals. We hope that changes of social norms at the community level can eventually lead to societal macro-level changes with modification and enhancement of institutional norms. Methods We use an SSM approach to design a meso-level, midstream intervention to alleviate societal stigma that deters help-seeking of mentally depressed students in an educational institution. We use survey methods for data collection and Tobit regression for data analysis to empirically test our meso-intervention against two other micro-level interventions. Results Our hypothesis that stigmatized individuals are more likely to avail of wellbeing-related services offered by a platform based on an SSM, meso-intervention rather than by one that does not adopt such a strategy is empirically supported strongly ([Formula: see text]). Recommendations for Research or Practice A meso-level intervention is an essential prerequisite to bring about macro-level changes to address stigma attached to mental health issues. As a practical matter, changes of social norms at the community level have a strong potential for bringing about societal macro-level changes with modifications and enhancements of institutional norms and eventual micro-level help-seeking behavior.

Acceptability of infertility treatment among men and the issue of social stigma: Some reflections

Acceptability of infertility treatment among men and the issue of social stigma: Some reflections

Experiences of mental health issues amongst dialectical behaviour therapists: an exploratory study

Abstract Little is known about dialectical behaviour therapists’ (DBT) own experiences of mental health issues or being experts by experience. Quantitative exploratory methodology surveyed DBT therapists about their own experiences of mental health issues. Questionnaires were varied and far-reaching including collection of data on demographics as well as mental health experiences and disclosures of difficulties, Adverse childhood experiences, quality of life, attitudes towards people with borderline personality disorder (BPD), and a measure of internalised stigma and stigma resistance for people who endorsed a formal mental health diagnosis. Ninety-four people responded, 92 of whom identified as a practising DBT; 80 endorsed a history of or current mental health difficulties. This exploratory research, based on responses from 94 DBT therapists, expands knowledge on the relevance of ‘wounded healer/impaired practitioner’ concepts for practitioners of DBT and raises issues related to consultation team and a duty of care towards DBT therapists. Low response rate makes it difficult to generalise these findings. Respondents were predominantly white, female, heterosexual therapists earning well above the median and mean incomes in the UK. Additionally, respondents were not asked to define the functions and modes of their DBT practice. Key learning aims (1) Readers will learn about the treatment relationship within a DBT context. (2) Readers will learn about the concepts of wounded healer and impaired practitioner as well as the related issue of stigma. (3) Readers will learn about the experiences of mental health issues of 94 DBT therapists.

Stigma and Mental Well-Being among Teenage Mothers in the Rural Areas of Makhado, Limpopo Province

Adolescent mothers experience psychological challenges, such as social withdrawal and rejection by their communities. Assuming the role of motherhood is associated with emotional and mental distress, such as fear and worry, regret and frustration, guilt and shame, and social isolation. This study adopted a qualitative critical participatory action research approach. Purposive and snowballing recruitment were employed to recruit 11 teenage mothers, and semi-structured face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions were employed to generate data. All sessions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. Teenage mothers in this study reported experiencing humiliation and being subjected to degrading remarks and judgement by schoolmates. The experience of being rejected, teased, and labelled made participants feel that they were not accepted as part of their community. It was concluded that teenage mothers experienced inconsistent support from parents and community members, which led to social isolation and feeling rejected; hence, teenage mothers lacked a sense of belonging to and acceptance by their communities. Policymakers and authorities in education and healthcare should encourage social change and transformative learning and address the issue of stigma and social isolation experienced by teenage mothers in rural communities.

Weight stigma among dental professionals and in the dental setting: a scoping review

AbstractBackground Weight stigma refers to discriminatory acts and ideologies targeted towards individuals because of their body weight and/or size. Weight stigma in healthcare settings generates major health disparities. To date, there have been no previous reviews exploring the issue of weight stigma among dental professionals (DPs) and in the dental setting.Aims To synthesise current evidence on weight stigma among DPs and in dental care settings via a scoping review.Methods A comprehensive search was carried out across four relevant electronic databases (Medline, Scopus, Psychinfo and Cinahl). A total of 25 full-text papers were included in the scoping review.Results Most papers addressed the subject of weight stigma as a secondary finding (20 papers). Both quantitative and qualitative study methods were used to explore weight stigma across the broad categories of attitudes and beliefs about obesity, weight-based discussions, obesity education and training and service implications of obesity. Recommendations regarding weight stigma among DPs and in the dental setting were proposed but have not been formally assessed.Conclusion Further studies addressing weight stigma in dental settings, including causes and consequences among DPs, are required to better inform and address this issue.

Period Power: Organizational Stigma, Multimodality, and Social Entrepreneurship in the Menstrual Products Industry

AbstractIn this article, we contribute to the recent direction in the organizational stigma literature that focuses on stigma as providing opportunities for organizations. Drawing on a qualitative abductive study of 90 social enterprises in the menstrual products industry, we extend the literature by showing how the organizational form of social enterprises allows them to put the societal issue of menstruation stigma at the core of their ventures. Specifically, we find that these social enterprises take a disruptive strategy, and we elaborate on the tactics of normalization and moralization on which they draw by highlighting the essential role of multimodality in the process of destigmatizing menstruation. In light of the tabooed nature of menstruation, this multimodal approach is key to challenging existing hidden, taken‐for‐granted norms around menstruation and supplanting them with alternative ones. Our study has important implications for the literatures on organizational stigma, social enterprises, and multimodality and points to their strong conceptual complementarity for understanding processes of societal change.

Stigma and Daily lives among Patients with Major Depressive Disorder in Gaza Governorates

Background: The most common cause of diseases and dysfunction worldwide is depression. The issue of stigma is common and frequently arises from misunderstandings and a lack of awareness regarding mental illness. Objective: to determine the level of stigma and its effect on depressed patients' daily lives in the Gaza Governorates. Methods: 180 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) were chosen, and a stigma scale was used in the descriptive design. In addition to the data on demographic variables, SPSS 25 was employed for statistical analysis in this study. Results: The study found no variations at a significant level (0.05) in the development of stigma related to age, and the prevalence rate of perceived stigma is 64.5%. While there were significant differences at a significant level (0.05) in the development of stigma based on gender and differences in favor of women, on the other hand, 78.5% of the participants reported that there is a negative effect of stigma on their daily lives. This means that there was a significant relationship between stigma and the daily lives of depressed patients at a significant level (0.05). Conclusion: Stigma negatively affects the daily lives of people with depression. Understanding the stigma's roots, sociodemographic characteristics, and complications is essential to creating successful anti-stigma campaigns.

Youths' attitudes toward open discussion of suicide, preferred contexts, and the impact of Internet use: An exploratory sequential mixed-methods study in Hong Kong.

Although the necessity and benefits of having the open and public discussion about suicide have been recognized, youths' opinions regarding such discussion remain unknown. To explore youths' attitudes toward open suicide discussion, particularly concerning their preference of discussion contexts and impacts of Internet use. This exploratory sequential mixed-methods study targeted Hong Kong youths aged 15 to 19. A total of six focus groups and 12 individual interviews were held (N = 40). Topics included adolescents' views of open suicide discussion, concerns, perceived benefits, and preferred contexts. The questionnaire survey (N = 1,676) was conducted subsequently to investigate the prevalence of youths' perspectives on public discussion of suicide and relationships with discussion contexts, use of social media platforms, and motivations of online expression. Qualitative findings revealed three types of attitudes toward open suicide discussion: reluctance, support, and indifference. Major barriers included cultural norms, topic sensitivity, privacy concerns, contagion effect, fear of embarrassment, and unpleasant experiences in school programs. Results of quantitative analyses showed that reluctance was the dominant attitude among adolescents, and taboo was the top concern. Variations in youths' attitudes were related to gender, school academic banding, and suicide-related experiences. Notably, adolescents who had been exposed to suicide messages in contexts of peer networks and online platforms were more likely to endorse open suicide discussion. In addition, an increased likelihood of engaging in public suicide discussion was associated with the use of Instagram, WhatsApp, and Snapchat, and the motive of 'expressing emotions and opinions' online. Our results indicated a prevalent rejection among adolescents toward open suicide discussion, suggesting the issue of stigma, the need for tailored programs, the value of appropriate contexts, and the impact of Internet use. These findings may facilitate the development of school-based suicide prevention initiatives and the efficacy of online services for suicide-related communication.

PENCEGAHAN DAN PENANGGULANGAN TRANSMISI COVID-19 BERBASIS PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT DI KELURAHAN GERGUNUNG KLATEN UTARA

The Covid-19 pandemic is still a volatile and unpredictable condition that has an impact on all aspects of life. Government programs such as lockdown, health protocols and vaccinations, as well as local wisdom such as jogo tonggo are alternative options in controlling Covid-19. The limited understanding and behavior of the community raises the issue of stigma on survivors and can affect the ineffectiveness of jogo tonggo, as well as post-vaccination wrong behavior. The purpose of this program is to the transmission of COVID-19 through reducing stigma, increasing post-vaccination knowledge and strengthening the community-based jogo tonggo program in the Gergunung. The implementation method uses a Problem Solving Cycle approach with advocacy strategies, atmosphere building and community empowerment movements. The targets of this activity include the head of the Covid-19 task force who is also the head of the RW in the Gergunung Village area, through the Trainning of Trainee (TOT) activities to prevent and control the transmission of Covid-19. The results show that 100% of Jogo Tonggo posts have been formed in 13 RW areas of Gergunung Village. Knowledge showed no significant changes. There are 3 video and pocket book as a medium of education for the Gergunung community

Questions autour du genre, de la filiation et de la transidentité

The author proposes a synthesis of a topical topic by presenting two perspectives: the theoretical approach infiltrating various sectors of knowledge and the practical approach concerning child psychiatry. To this end, the author indicates the importance of the lexicon used with reworkings that affect all countries with the aim of avoiding discrimination against trans people. The theoretical approach and the practical approach lead us to examine successively the relationship to the world and to history by distinguishing the North American and French orientations and by identifying the specificities that concern the child. The theorizations confront each other: for some, sex must be thought as naturally given, while for others it is socially constructed. The issue of trans experience and stigma persist even though the legislative aspects increasingly respond to the demands of trans people. This has repercussions on the issues of filiation which are not confused with begetting; it is a social bond, a legal bond; in our societies the affiliate link has become a political and legal issue with regard to gender equality and legislation concerning the living conditions of children living in different types of families. The author raises a question as a child psychiatrist and points out the increase in requests for transition of minor children in France and the presence of surgical services, endocrinology which have opened specialized sectors or centers. Pediatricians and child psychiatrists are reserved. The extension of rights at the legislative level concerns many countries and is moving towards a declarative identity, which should be possible to discuss.

Stigma and blame related to COVID-19 pandemic: A case-study of editorial cartoons in Canada

The COVID-19 pandemic represents not only the spread of a highly contagious and potentially fatal virus, but also an outbreak of theories, rumors, discourses and representations trying to make sense of a crisis. In this article, we explore the issue of blame and stigma in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. We do so by studying editorial cartoons published about COVID-19 in ten mainstream Canadian newspapers between January 2020 and March 2021. We identified 203 editorial cartoons that highlight common discourses which blame or stigmatize specific groups of people for the origin or transmission of COVID-19, or for their behavior during the pandemic. The cartoons focused on four groups: 1) people of Chinese origin or descent and of other national/geographic provenance (Americans, Canadians from specific provinces, urban residents); 2) international travelers; 3) people who do not respect the preventive measures to contain the pandemic; and 4) people who question or criticize the scientific discourses about COVID-19. Our analysis revealed an “othering process” common in times of pandemic. Our analysis of editorial cartoons in Canada also uncovered a moralization around the respect of the counter measures against COVID-19. These editorial cartoons largely divide the population into two groups: 1) “virtuous” people who are “selfless” and “smart” and who respect the public health preventive measures; 2) those who are “immoral”, “self-centered”, “silly” and even “stupid”, who do not respect the recommended measures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. While negatively portraying these individuals may help promote adherence to the recommended measures, it also can exacerbate polarization. Analyzing editorial cartoons can be a useful approach to rapidly gather information on attitudes and feelings in the public at a specific time and place.

Low Vision: Attitude towards the Use of Prescribed Glasses

This is a paper written on low vision and the attitude of people towards those using prescribed glasses. The main objective of the paper is to a ddress the issue of stigma associated with the use of prescribed glasses in relation to people with low vision, including the effects the stigma has on personal, behavioral as well as psychological aspects of individuals affected. The paper is a product of desk research work, where relevant authoritative positions on low vision and the use of prescribed medical glasses were expressed for analysis and interpretation. The paper is about an extrapolation on the attitudes of people towards the use rs of prescribed medical glasses for improvement on the vision power of those persons that have low vision or suffering from the danger of losing their sights. It is concluded from the extrapolation that acceptance of glasses for the correction of vision among people is not encouraging, particularly when children are concerned. This is due to the lingering misconception in the minds of individuals regarding use of glasses and its users. Initiation of support groups, mass media and provision of information about vision problems in school health curriculum would go a long way in dispelling the misconceptions and distorted beliefs about use of glasses.