The Relationship Between Stigma and Social Support to Quality of Life in Indonesia and the Philippines During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Abstract: The importance of quality of life (QoL) was magnified as countries faced the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to determine the relationship between COVID-19-related stigma and preferred social support to QoL in two Southeast Asian countries. This paper examined (1) the differences in the physical and psychological dimensions of QoL (QoL-PSY, QoL-PHL), COVID-19 perceived stigma (PcS) and public stigma (PS), and preferred social support (PSS) between Indonesia (IDN) and the Philippines (PHP); (2) the associations between PS and PcS with QoL; (3) the associations between PSS and QoL; and (4) the role of the country as a moderator between the relationship of PcS and PSS to QoL. Data were collected from 992 participants (PHP = 564; IDN = 428) through an online survey (April–June 2022) and analyzed through multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), hierarchical multiple regression, and multiple-group path analysis. After controlling for potential covariates, we found significant country differences in QOL and PSS, where Indonesia's estimated means for these two measures were significantly higher than the Philippines. Both domains of PSS had significant positive associations with both QOL domains in the merged sample; similarly, PcS had significant negative associations with both domains of QOL. Path analysis also showed similar significant predictors (PSS and PcS) associated with QoL for both countries with minor coefficient variations, except PS and PSS-ST. The findings show a similar relationship pattern between perceived stigma and social support (strong ties) to the QoL in Indonesia and the Philippines. Cultural interventions to mitigate perceived stigma were suggested in healthcare settings.