The Pandemic State of Stigma: Stigma and Loneliness in İndividuals Diagnosed with COVID-19

Authors : Seher Çevik Aktura, Elanur Vicnelioğlu, Seyhan Çıtlık Sarıtaş

Pages : 28-35

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Publication Date : 2025-08-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: The purpose of this research is to examine stigma and loneliness in individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: The research was conducted as descriptive and exploratory. The population of the research consisted of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 connected to a health center. The sample of the study consisted of 107 patients with a power analysis of 0.05 errors, 0.95 confidence intervals, and 0.95 representation power of the universe. Data were collected online using the personal presentation form created by the researchers, The Stigma Scale, and the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Descriptive statistics, independent groups t test, one way ANOVA test, Bonferroni correction and correlation analysis were used in the evaluation of the data. Results: In the study, the mean age of the patients was 34.75±15.7, 63.6% were women, 80.4% had high school or higher education, 48.6% lived with their spouse and children, 36.4% had a virus from their families, 61.7% were not alone during the quarantine period and that the most intense emotion experienced by 33.6% of them during the illness was anxiety. In the study, it was observed that the internalized stigma and UCLA loneliness scale mean scores of the patients were 56.27±15.9 and 37.78±110.4, respectively, and the patients had a moderate perception of stigma and loneliness. As a result of the correlation analysis, a moderately significant positive correlation was found between the perception of stigma and loneliness (p<0.001). Conclusions: As a result of the research, it was found that the patients had a moderate perception of stigma and loneliness. It was observed that as the patients’ perception of stigma increased, their perception of loneliness also increased. It can be recommended to provide holistic care in individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 without ignoring the perception of stigma and loneliness, to plan online counseling services, to recognize and treat psychological problems caused by stigma and loneliness, and to conduct research with larger groups.
Keywords : COVID-19, Damgalanma, Hemşire, Hasta, Yalnızlık

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