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- Title
COVID-19-related stigma and its sociodemographic correlates: a comparative study.
- Authors
Yuan, Yuan; Zhao, Yan-Jie; Zhang, Qing-E; Zhang, Ling; Cheung, Teris; Jackson, Todd; Jiang, Guo-Qing; Xiang, Yu-Tao
- Abstract
<bold>Background: </bold>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.<bold>Methods: </bold>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.<bold>Results: </bold>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).<bold>Conclusion: </bold>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.
- Subjects
CHINA; COVID-19; COVID-19 pandemic; SOCIAL stigma; SOCIAL impact; SOCIAL isolation
- Publication
Globalization & Health, 2021, Vol 17, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
1744-8603
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1186/s12992-021-00705-4