Experienced discrimination and internalized stigma among people infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 and surviving COVID‐19: Association with anxiety, depression, and insomnia symptoms

Abstract

AbstractPeople surviving COVID‐19 may experience social stigma related to their condition even after clinical recovery. This study aimed to: (1) investigate COVID‐19‐related experienced discrimination and internalized stigma, and (2) explore their association with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia. We conducted an online survey of people who survived COVID‐19. Perception of stigma was assessed using the COVID‐19 Experienced Discrimination Scale and the COVID‐19 Internalized Stigma Scale. Depression, anxiety, and insomnia were assessed using, respectively, the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9, the General Anxiety Disorder Scale‐7, and the Insomnia Severity Index. Multivariable logistic regression analyses for each psychopathological domain were performed. A total of 579 participants participated in this study. Overall, 25% reported some degree of experienced discrimination, and 23% reported some degree of internalized stigma. Adjusted odds ratio showed that scoring higher on internalized stigma related significantly to higher symptoms of depression (2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35–3.39), anxiety (2.30; 95% CI, 1.48–3.59), and insomnia (2.54; 95% CI, 1.64–3.95), whereas experienced discrimination was associated to anxiety (1.55; 95% CI, 1.06–2.28) and insomnia (1.82; 95% CI, 1.24–2.69). Experiences of social stigmatization are frequent among people surviving COVID‐19 and seem to be associated with levels of psychological disturbances. Further research is required to elucidate the direction of these relationships to implement effective treatment strategies.