The impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the risk of social stigma. (1st June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sacco, M.A.; Scalise, C.; Zibetti, A.; Aquila, V.; Abenavoli, L.; Ricci, P.; Aquila, I.
• Is Part Of: European psychiatry. Volume 65:Supplement 1(2022)
• Page Start: S869
• Page End: S869
• Publication Date: 2022-06-01
• Subjects: discrimination -- stigma -- Covid-19; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental illness -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.2253
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0924-9338

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Social stigma indicates a process of negative connotation of a person which results in discrimination. The victim of stigma experiences a condition of social exclusion that negatively affects his relationships. The COVID-19 pandemic has spread the fear of being "contaminated", which has led to the discrimination of a part of population. Objectives: The purpose of this work is to analyze which people have suffered from stigma due to the COVID-19 pandemic by examining the negative effects on their health during this period. Methods: A literature review of peer-reviewed articles was performed on Pubmed NCBI database by inserting the keywords: stigma and COVID-19 in the period 2020-2021. Results: The data showed that the categories most at risk were positive patients and their families; healthcare workers in COVID-19 wards; Asian people. Discrimination has included avoidance attitudes, physical or verbal abuse, hypersurveillance in public places. Negative effects on victims included anxiety, depression, feelings of rejection and shame, self-harm and suicide. COVID-19 patients attempted to hide the disease by avoiding access to hospital; health personnel developed risk of burnout; Asian restaurants experienced a drop in reservations, even after quarantine period. Conclusions: Social stigma is a public health problem and greater efforts are mandatory to reduce it including correct information, with the help of social and mass media; social interventions aimed at generating empathy; avoiding the use of negative language focused on stereotypes that could generate fear or discrimination. Such interventions are crucial to reduce discrimination in such a fragile period as COVID-19 pandemic. Disclosure: No significant relationships.