Anticipated Stigma and Related Factors in Patients with Chronic Diseases

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the anticipated stigma and related factors in patients with chronic diseases, who were under treatment in in-patient clinics. Methods: The data of this descriptive study were collected from a total of 195 individuals with chronic diseases between May and August 2022. The patient information form, the Anticipated Stigma Scale for Chronic Illnesses, the Barthel Index for Activities of Daily Living, and the Beck Depression Scale were used for data analysis. Results: The mean age of the 195 participants was 51.8 (±17.6) years and the mean duration of disease diagnosis was 75.4 (±102.1) months. The total stigma scale score was 1.92 (±0.6), and the highest score obtained from the sub-dimensions belonged to work life, which was 2.5 ± 1.0. The mean stigma score was compared according to socio-demographic characteristics and revealed no significant difference (P > .05). It was observed that the stigma score of the patients with affected economic (P= .044), social (P= .006), and private (P= .001) lives was significantly higher. Furthermore, a negative correlation was determined with the mean Barthel Index score (P= .023), and a positive correlation was observed with the depression scale score (P < .001). Conclusion: It was observed that the stigma score was highest in the work-life sub-dimension and that the level of stigma was related to both physical sufficiency and psycho-social wellness of the patients with chronic disease. Therefore, it has been considered that both the physical and pyschosocial health of the patients is of high importance in providing holistic care. © 2023 Sociedad Madrinela de Neumologia y Cirugia Toracica. All rights reserved.