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Wang Y, Zhu J, Wang J, Mu Y. Oxytocin Modulation of Explicit Pandemic Stigma in Men with Varying Social Anxiety Levels. Neuropharmacology 2024:110140. [PMID: 39251086 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 08/17/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Stigma can create divisions within societies, hindering social cohesion and cooperation. Notably, it has significant public health implications, especially during infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19. However, little is known about the neural and molecular basis of disease-related stigmas and their association with individual differences. METHODS To address this gap, we performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject design study with 70 males, to investigate the effect of intranasal oxytocin (OT) administration on the explicit and implicit processing of disease-related stigma (i.e., COVID-19 stigma). After self-administrated 24 IU of OT or placebo, participants completed a stigma evaluation task and an Implicit Association Test (IAT) to assess the explicit and implicit processes of stigma evaluation, respectively. RESULTS The results showed that oxytocin amplified the difference between high and low social anxiety participants in explicit COVID-19 stigma, with a higher inclination to attribute the stigmatized status of the stigmatized targets (i.e., COVID-19 related group) to personal causes in high social anxiety individuals, but reduced blame towards the stigmatized targets in low social anxiety individuals under oxytocin compared to placebo treatment sessions. Furthermore, oxytocin strengthened the connections between responsibility attribution and the other processes (i.e., emotional, approach motivation, social deviance). While the results showed no modulation of OT on implicit stigma for both groups, OT did modulate the associations between specific dimensions of explicit stigma (i.e., social deviance and approach motivation) with implicit stigma. CONCLUSION In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that intranasal OT administration could temporally impact explicit cognitive judgment on disease-related stigma but not implicit aspect of this stigma; furthermore, it modulated in a distinct way in individuals with different levels of social anxiety. These findings highlight the trait-dependent oxytocin modulation on disease-related stigma, implying that oxytocin is partly involved in the endocrine system of disease-related stigma. By unraveling the molecular basis of stigma and its association with individual traits, such as social anxiety, we can tailor interventions to meet specific needs of different individuals in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiajia Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaxi Wang
- Beijing Technology and Business University
| | - Yan Mu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Shah B, Mahapatra A, Singh UN, Mishra V, Daha SK, Pande R, Neupane MR, Banjade A, Khatik CB, K. C. TB, Mandal RK, Pokharel S, Gupta R, G. C. KB. Internalized stigma related to COVID-19 and its psychosocial and mental health correlates: a multicentric health facility based observational study from Nepal. Front Psychiatry 2024; 14:1276369. [PMID: 38419690 PMCID: PMC10900515 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1276369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has led to physical and psychological complications and social consequences in the form of illness-related stigma. This study aimed (1) to assess the sociodemographic and clinical variable, as well as COVID-19 related knowledge and perception of persons admitted for COVID-19/Suspected COVID-19 in Nepal, (2) to determine their levels of COVID-19- related internalized stigma, depression, and anxiety symptoms, and (3) to evaluate the correlates of COVID-19- related internalized stigma. Materials and methods It was a cross-sectional exploratory study with a convenience sample of 395 participants (306 confirmed cases, 89 suspected cases) conducted between July-October 2020 in four health facilities in Madhesh and Lumbini provinces of Nepal. We used a semi-structured questionnaire to assess sociodemographic details, clinical information, COVID-19-related knowledge, perception, COVID-19-related internalized stigma, and the Hamilton Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) in Nepali language. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and linear regression analyses were performed. The level of statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05. Results Around 23.3% of the patients had anxiety symptoms, 32.9% had depressive symptoms, and 20.3% had high COVID-19-related internalized stigma (mean ISMI score: 2.51-4.00). Linear regression analyses showed a significant positive association of COVID-19-related internalized stigma total score, with the following eight factors, i.e., no income in the past one month (p = 0.013), below average socioeconomic status (p = 0.004), anxiety symptoms (p = <0.001), depressive symptoms (p = <0.001), recent testing positive for COVID-19 (p = <0.001), involuntary admission (p = <0.001), prior experience of being in isolation and quarantine (p = 0.045), and those who blame others for COVID-19 (p = 0.025). Conclusion COVID-19 survivors and suspects are vulnerable to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and COVID-19-related internalized stigma. For the first time from Nepal, our data suggests that COVID-19-related internalized stigma is associated with anxiety and depression symptoms, perceived below-average socioeconomic status, involuntary admission, prior experience of being in isolation and quarantine, recent COVID-19 positive report, self-blame, below-average socioeconomic status and no income in the past one month. Mitigating and preventing internalized stigma associated with a public health crisis such as COVID-19 is imperative by diagnosing and treating such mental health issues early and designing interventions and policies especially targeting vulnerable populations focusing on their economic background and socio-cultural beliefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bigya Shah
- Department of Psychiatry, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Patan Hospital, Patan, Nepal
| | - Ananya Mahapatra
- Department of Psychiatry, Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital and Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Vilok Mishra
- Department of Dermatology, Institute of Medicine, Maharajgunj, Nepal
| | | | - Rajan Pande
- Department of Internal Medicine, Bheri Hospital, Nepalgunj, Nepal
| | | | - Anita Banjade
- Department of Pediatrics, Suny downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States
| | | | | | | | - Samjhana Pokharel
- Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), Jagaran Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | - Krishna Bahadur G. C.
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Patan Hospital, Patan, Nepal
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Hazumi M, Kataoka M, Usuda K, Narita Z, Okazaki E, Nishi D. Difference in the risk of discrimination on psychological distress experienced by early wave infected and late wave infected COVID-19 survivors in Japan. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13139. [PMID: 37573383 PMCID: PMC10423270 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40345-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The psychological distress experienced by coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) survivors after recovery from the illness is amplified by discrimination endured because of their infection status. However, the difference in the risk of facing discrimination and risk of experiencing psychological distress in the early and late waves of the COVID-19 pandemic remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether the risk of facing discrimination because of infection status was lower in the early or late waves and whether risk of discrimination on psychological distress was more serious in later, rather than earlier waves. We conducted two online surveys to collect data from survivors divided into two groups. The participants with scores of five or more on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale were identified as having experienced psychological distress. The participants were identified as having experienced discrimination based on infection status if they had endured being blamed, some type of discrimination, or having themselves or their families maligned. The timing of infection was split into infected during early waves of the pandemic for 2021 participants and infected during later waves of the pandemic for 2022 participants. Modified Poisson regression analyses were performed using experiences of discrimination as criteria and timing of infection as predictors. Modified Poisson regression analyses were further performed using the presence of psychological distress as a criteria and experiences of discrimination and timing of infection as the criteria, in addition to interaction effect of these es. The data of 6010 participants who were infected in early waves and 5344 participants who were infected in later waves were analyzed. The risks of being blamed, some forms of discrimination, and participants and their families being maligned were significantly lower in the group who were infected in later waves than those infected in earlier waves. Experiences of discrimination were highly associated with psychological distress in those infected in later waves than those infected in earlier waves, while only being blamed showed a significant association. Risk of discrimination was found to be lower in those infected in later waves, whereas risk of discrimination on psychological distress was shown to be more serious in those infected in later waves. Therefore, we submit that it is more important to support COVID-19 survivors who face discrimination, than it is to attempt to decrease the current discriminatory climate caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megumi Hazumi
- Department of Public Mental Health Research, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashicho, Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8553, Japan
- Department of Sleep-Wake Disorder, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashicho, Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8553, Japan
| | - Mayumi Kataoka
- Department of Public Mental Health Research, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashicho, Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8553, Japan
- Department of Mental Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kentaro Usuda
- Department of Public Mental Health Research, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashicho, Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8553, Japan
| | - Zui Narita
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashicho, Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8553, Japan
| | - Emi Okazaki
- Department of Public Mental Health Research, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashicho, Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8553, Japan
| | - Daisuke Nishi
- Department of Public Mental Health Research, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashicho, Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8553, Japan.
- Department of Mental Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
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Jain L, Bhivandkar S, Baqir H, Shoib S, Nimavat N, Mohan A, Zubair AS, Jawad MY, Muhammed N, Ahmed R, Sachdeva V, Ahmed S. Beyond physical health: the role of psychosocial challenges and stigma in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic-A scoping review. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1180252. [PMID: 37496686 PMCID: PMC10366364 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1180252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The socio-cultural response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the level of adherence to evidence-based guidelines played a crucial role in determining the morbidity and mortality outcomes during the pandemic. This review aims to evaluate the impact of stigma and psycho-socio-cultural challenges on efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify ways to mitigate such challenges in future pandemics. Methods Using keywords including COVID-19, coronavirus, stigma, psychosocial challenges, and others, the authors searched seven major databases with a time limitation of July 2021, which yielded 2,038 results. Out of these, 15 papers were included in this review. Results The findings of the review indicated that several psychosocial, socio-economic, and ethno-cultural factors are linked to the transmission and control of COVID-19. The research revealed that stigma and related psychosocial challenges and others, such as anxiety, fear, and stigma-driven social isolation, have resulted in significant mental health problems. Discussion The review underscores the negative impact of stigma on COVID-19 patients, survivors, and the general population. Addressing stigma and psychosocial challenges is crucial to effectively manage the current pandemic and to prevent similar challenges during future public health crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshit Jain
- Connecticut Valley Hospital, Middletown, CT, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Siddhi Bhivandkar
- Department of Psychiatry, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Huma Baqir
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Sheikh Shoib
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Hospital, Srinagar, India
| | - Nirav Nimavat
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel Medical College and Research Institute, Bharuch, India
| | - Anmol Mohan
- Department of Medicine, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | | | - Nazar Muhammed
- Department of Psychiatry, Cornerstone Family Healthcare, New York, NY, United States
| | - Rizwan Ahmed
- Liaquat College of Medicine and Dentistry, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Vishi Sachdeva
- Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Bathinda, India
| | - Saeed Ahmed
- Addiction Psychiatry, Rutland Regional Medical Center, Rutland, VT, United States
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Zhang TM, Zhang XF, Meng XD, Huang Y, Zhang W, Gong HH, Chan SKW, Chen XC, Gao R, Lewis-Fernández R, Fan YY, Liu CC, Huang L, Deng XP, Liu B, Ran MS. Comparison of stigmatizing views towards COVID-19 and mental disorders among adolescent and young adult students in China. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1170540. [PMID: 37484667 PMCID: PMC10359161 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1170540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Infectious diseases including COVID-19 and mental disorders are two of the most common health conditions associated with stigma. However, the comparative stigma of these two conditions has received less attention in research. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of stigmatizing views toward people with COVID-19 and mental disorders and the factors associated with these views, among a large sample of adolescent and young adult students in China. Methods A total of 9,749 adolescents and young adults aged 15-24 years completed a survey on stigmatizing attitudes toward COVID-19 and mental disorders, as well as mental health-related factors, including general mental health status and symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with stigmatizing views. Findings The prevalence of COVID-19 and mental disorders-related stigma was 17.2% and 40.7%, respectively. COVID-19-related stigma scores were significantly higher among male students (β = 0.025, p < 0.05), those without quarantine experience (β = 0.035, p < 0.001), those with lower educational level (p < 0.001), those with lower family income (p < 0.01), and those with higher PTSD symptoms (β = 0.045, p < 0.05). Mental disorder-related stigma scores were significantly higher among individuals with average and lower-than-average levels of family income (p < 0.01), depression symptoms (β = 0.056, p < 0.001), anxiety symptoms (β = 0.051, p < 0.001), and mental health problems (β = 0.027, p < 0.05). Conclusion The stigma of mental disorders is higher in the youth population than the stigma of COVID-19. Factors associated with stigmatizing attitudes toward people with COVID-19 and mental disorders varied across the youth. Stigma-reduction interventions among the youth should be targeted specifically to COVID-19 or mental disorders conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Ming Zhang
- Department of Social Work, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin-Feng Zhang
- Jingzhou Mental Health Center and The Mental Health Institute of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | - Xian-Dong Meng
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hui-Hui Gong
- School of Public Administration, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Sherry Kit Wa Chan
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | | | - Ru Gao
- Wenjiang People‘s Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | | | - Yuan-Yuan Fan
- Jingzhou Mental Health Center and The Mental Health Institute of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | - Chang-Cheng Liu
- Jingzhou Mental Health Center and The Mental Health Institute of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | - Lu Huang
- Jingzhou Mental Health Center and The Mental Health Institute of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | - Xiao-Peng Deng
- Jingzhou Mental Health Center and The Mental Health Institute of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Jingzhou Mental Health Center and The Mental Health Institute of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | - Mao-Sheng Ran
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Reibling N, Linden P, Schneider T. [COVID-19-related self-stigma: association with vulnerability and trust in institutions]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2023:10.1007/s00103-023-03742-z. [PMID: 37395753 PMCID: PMC10372126 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-023-03742-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-stigmatization in the context of infectious diseases can be a psychosocial burden and reduce the cooperation with infection control measures. This study investigates for the first time the level of self-stigmatization among individuals with different social and medical vulnerabilities in Germany. METHODS Data are derived from an online survey (CAWI: Computer Assisted Web Interview) conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in winter 2020/21. The quota sample (N = 2536) is representative for the key variables gender, age, education, and place of residence for the German adult population. For operationalizing COVID-19 related self-stigmatization, we developed a new scale. We also collected information on medical and social vulnerabilities as well as trust in institutions. Data analysis was based on descriptive statistics and multiple ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. RESULTS Overall, we find a level of self-stigmatization slightly over the scale mean. While socially vulnerable groups do not have higher levels of self-stigmatization - with the exception of women - individuals with medical vulnerabilities (higher infection risks, poor health status, risk group) show higher levels of self-stigma. Higher trust in institutions is associated with higher levels of self-stigmatization. DISCUSSION Stigmatization should be regularly monitored during pandemics and considered in communication measures. Thus, it is important to pay attention to less stigmatizing formulations and to point out risks without defining risk groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Reibling
- Fachbereich Gesundheitswissenschaften, Hochschule Fulda, Fulda, Deutschland
| | - Philipp Linden
- Fachbereich Gesundheitswissenschaften, Hochschule Fulda, Fulda, Deutschland
| | - Torsten Schneider
- Seminar für Sozialwissenschaften, Universität Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2, 57068, Siegen, Deutschland.
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Peters L, Burkert S, Brenner C, Grüner B. Experienced stigma and applied coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany: a mixed-methods study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e059472. [PMID: 36002206 PMCID: PMC9412038 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Health-related stigma is considered a social determinant of health equity and a hidden burden of disease. This study aimed to assess the level and dimensions of stigma and respective coping mechanisms in COVID-19 survivors. METHODS A mixed-methods study with sequential explanatory design was conducted at the University Hospital of Ulm, Germany. Stigma was assessed using the Social Impact Scale (SIS) including adult COVID-19 survivors with mild-to-severe disease. Subsequently, 14 participants were sampled with regard to gender, age and severity of disease for in-depth interviews to understand how stigma was experienced and coping strategies were applied. The questionnaire was analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test and analysis of variance. Content analysis was used for qualitative data. RESULTS From 61 participants, 58% were men and mean age was 51 years. The quantitative analysis of the SIS indicated an intermediate level of experienced stigma. Participants experienced stigma mainly as 'social rejection' (M=14.22, SD=4.91), followed by 'social isolation' (M=10.17, SD=4.16) and 'internalised shame' (M=8.39, SD=3.32). There was no significant difference in experienced stigma regarding gender, education, occupational status or residual symptoms. However, participants between 30 and 39 years of age experienced higher levels of stigma than other age groups (p=0.034). The qualitative analysis revealed how stigma seemed to arise from misconceptions creating irrational fear of infection, leading to stereotyping, vilification, discrimination and social exclusion of COVID-19 survivors, leaving them feeling vulnerable. Stigma cut through all social levels, from the individual level at the bottom to the institutional and societal level at the top. Social networks protected from experiencing stigma. CONCLUSION COVID-19-related stigma is a relevant burden in the ongoing pandemic. Providing accurate information and exposing misinformation on disease prevention and treatment seems key to end COVID-19-related stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Peters
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sanne Burkert
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Cecilia Brenner
- Regional Office of Communicable Diseases, The Public Health Agency of Sweden, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Beate Grüner
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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Relationship between COVID-19-specific occupational stressors and mental distress in frontline and non-frontline staff. Heliyon 2022; 8:e10310. [PMID: 35996552 PMCID: PMC9387056 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the difference in the severity of mental distress and factors contributing to mental distress in frontline and non-frontline healthcare professionals during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. A cross-sectional web-based survey of medical staff collected by snow-ball sampling was performed in Japan in October 2020 using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) as an outcome measure for mental distress. Originally developed items asking about the degree of change in psychological and physical burdens, COVID-19-related fear, and experience of discrimination were obtained. The median score of the K6 was 7 in the frontline staff group (n = 86) and 6 in the non-frontline staff group (n = 504), without a statistically significant difference. Multiple regression analyses showed that among the participants, an increase in psychological burden and COVID-19-related fear was significantly associated with mental distress in both groups. Experience of discrimination was significantly associated with mental distress only in the frontline staff group. However, an increase in physical burden was significantly associated with mental distress only in the non-frontline staff group. The results indicate that the factors contributing to mental distress between frontline and non-frontline staff can be different, although the severity of mental distress is comparable between them.
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Zhu J, Yan L, Mu Y. Comparisons Between COVID-19 Stigma and Other Stigmas: Distinct in Explicit Attitudes and Similar in Implicit Process. Front Psychol 2022; 13:848993. [PMID: 35558720 PMCID: PMC9087195 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.848993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the public stigma associated with COVID-19 has emerged. To better understand the COVID-19 stigma, the present research conducted three studies on 1,493 Chinese participants from the outbreak to the recovery period of the COVID-19 pandemic to examine the psychological mechanisms of COVID-19 stigma by comparing it with other disease-related stigmas in terms of their explicit and implicit processes. Study 1 and Study 2 jointly demonstrated that the public endorsed more stigma toward the COVID-19 related people (i.e., the COVID-19 patients) relative to the other disease-related people (i.e., the SARS patients, people with flu) in multiple explicit aspects, including emotional, motivational, cognitive, and social processing. Using the implicit association test (IAT), Study 3 found no significant difference in the implicit measures of the COVID-19 vs. the SARS groups, which further revealed that the pandemic stigmas (i.e., COVID-19 and SARS) were similar at the implicit level. These findings suggest common (implicit level) but distinct (explicit level) psychological processes of the pandemic-related stigmas, which provide reference to policymakers in formulating suitable interventions to deal with COVID-19 stigma and a newly generated potential stigma and provide psychological support for the public in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lihua Yan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Yan Mu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Yan Mu,
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