COVID-19-related stigma and its relationship with mental wellbeing: A cross-sectional analysis of a cohort study in Japan

• DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1010720
• Publication Date: 2022-09-29T14:49:27Z
• Authors: Emiko Sawaguchi; Sho Nakamura; Kaname Watanabe; Kanami Tsuno; Hiromi Ikegami; Naoko Shinmura; Yoshinobu Saito; Hiroto Narimatsu
• Keywords: Cross-sectional study; Stigma; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

Social stigma related to coronavirus disease (COVID-19), i. e., COVID-19 stigma, forms a burden on people socially, economically, and mentally. This study assessed using scale identify population likely exhibit higher prejudice against itself as well those infected with COVID-19. We adapted modified the Cancer Stigma Scale assess used it baseline survey of cohort in Japan. The questionnaire was disseminated 1,573 participants (51.7% men) between December 2020 March 2021. items included infection status individuals close respondent their preventive behaviors COVID-19, quality life (QOL; EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level [EQ-5D-5L]), psychological distress (using 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress [K6]). Exploratory confirmatory factor analyses were performed validate scale, we further structural equation modeling (SEM) relationship QOL distress. calculated for 257 (16.3%) who responded questionnaire. mean age (standard deviation) 54.5 (14.4) years, 50.2% men. Factor analysis revealed five-factor model: Awkwardness (feeling uncomfortable being person before), Severity (fear not able return normal after infection), Avoidance (attitude avoiding persons), Policy Opposition (expecting more public funding investment), Personal Responsibility (believing that persons themselves are responsible infection). Participants > 70 years had highest scores among other groups considering all factors except Opposition. Standardized coefficients SEM (latent variable) (beta = 0.86). Regression K6 0.21 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.074-0.342) -0.159 CI -0.295-0.022), respectively. People aged ≥ stigma. Additionally, results indicate impacts