Covid-19 Public Social Stigmatization and Related Factors in Iranian Population

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Master of Psychology, Payamnoor University, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Payamnoor University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Stigma is a psychosocial process that begins with a physical, psychological or social mark and leads to social exclusion and isolation. Covid-19 disease as an infectious and deadly disease puts patients at high risk of stigma and rejection.
Method: This was a descriptive survey study. The statistical population included all people aged 18 to 60 years in Isfahan- Iran in the period from October to November 2020. Through multi-stage cluster sampling, 322 people were selected as the sample. The instruments of the present study were the Public Stigma Covid-19 Questionnaire and demographic questionnaire, and disease-related factors. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance using SPSS software.
Results: The results showed that more than 80% of men and women of different ages and academic levels, and with medical and non-medical jobs, experience a high level of Covid-19 stigma. Participants who themselves or more than one around them suffered from Civid-19 or were caring from the Covid-19 patients report less public stigma (p <0.05).
Conclusion: public stigma related to Covid-19 disease is largely prevalent in Iranian society. Based on the results, the experience of the disease, and having a close interaction with stigmatized people is associated with reduced stigma.

Keywords

References

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    Bruns DP, Kraguljac NV, Bruns TR. <? covid19?> COVID-19: Facts, Cultural 

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History

  • Receive Date: 12 May 2021
  • Revise Date: 31 January 2022
  • Accept Date: 11 October 2021

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