Can a brief session of the online coronavirus disease 2019 destigmatization program reduce stigma among survivors? A randomized controlled trial
BackgroundStigmatization has taken a heavy toll on the mental health and quality of life of the survivors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To address this issue, we proposed a brief, self-directed, reflective, and practical destigmatization intervention. The current study aimed to investigate...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-08-01
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Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
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Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1234038/full |
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author | Kamolvisa Techapoonpon Chayut Wonglertwisawakorn Nitchawan Kerdchareon Wisarat Pruttithavorn Orranee Srikhamdokkhae |
author_facet | Kamolvisa Techapoonpon Chayut Wonglertwisawakorn Nitchawan Kerdchareon Wisarat Pruttithavorn Orranee Srikhamdokkhae |
author_sort | Kamolvisa Techapoonpon |
collection | DOAJ |
description | BackgroundStigmatization has taken a heavy toll on the mental health and quality of life of the survivors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To address this issue, we proposed a brief, self-directed, reflective, and practical destigmatization intervention. The current study aimed to investigate the efficacy of the online COVID-19 destigmatization program (OCDP) in mitigating stigma among the survivors of COVID-19.MethodsThis study was conducted on 142 survivors of COVID-19 before their discharge from Vajra Hospital from July 2022 to November 2022. The participants were randomly assigned between the intervention group (n = 71), who attended the 40-min OCDP, and the control group (n = 71), who received standard mental health care. The primary outcome was the efficacy of OCDP in reducing stigmatization. A COVID-19 stigma questionnaire was administered to assess stigmatization in the intervention and control groups immediately before and after the program during follow-up on days 7, 14, and 28. The secondary outcome was the efficacy of the program in alleviating negative emotions according to the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 questionnaire.ResultsCompared with the control group, the intervention group had a more prominent reduction in the overall stigma score on day 7 (p = 0.002) and day 14 (p = 0.028). The intervention group had a more evident reduction in enacted stigma (day 7, p = 0.04), internalized stigma (day 7, p = 0.008; day 14, p < 0.028), and perceived external stigma (day 7, p = 0.002) than the control group. However, there was no significant difference in terms of disclosure concern between the intervention and control groups. Furthermore, the reduction in depression, anxiety, and stress between the two groups did not significantly differ.ConclusionOnline COVID-19 destigmatization program provided prior to hospital discharge is an effective tool in reducing stigmatization, particularly within the first 2 weeks after reintegration into society, among the survivors of COVID-19. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-12T13:40:06Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-545882987a91437085e742a19da97519 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 1664-0640 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-12T13:40:06Z |
publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
record_format | Article |
series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
spelling | doaj.art-545882987a91437085e742a19da975192023-08-23T19:28:09ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402023-08-011410.3389/fpsyt.2023.12340381234038Can a brief session of the online coronavirus disease 2019 destigmatization program reduce stigma among survivors? A randomized controlled trialKamolvisa TechapoonponChayut WonglertwisawakornNitchawan KerdchareonWisarat PruttithavornOrranee SrikhamdokkhaeBackgroundStigmatization has taken a heavy toll on the mental health and quality of life of the survivors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To address this issue, we proposed a brief, self-directed, reflective, and practical destigmatization intervention. The current study aimed to investigate the efficacy of the online COVID-19 destigmatization program (OCDP) in mitigating stigma among the survivors of COVID-19.MethodsThis study was conducted on 142 survivors of COVID-19 before their discharge from Vajra Hospital from July 2022 to November 2022. The participants were randomly assigned between the intervention group (n = 71), who attended the 40-min OCDP, and the control group (n = 71), who received standard mental health care. The primary outcome was the efficacy of OCDP in reducing stigmatization. A COVID-19 stigma questionnaire was administered to assess stigmatization in the intervention and control groups immediately before and after the program during follow-up on days 7, 14, and 28. The secondary outcome was the efficacy of the program in alleviating negative emotions according to the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 questionnaire.ResultsCompared with the control group, the intervention group had a more prominent reduction in the overall stigma score on day 7 (p = 0.002) and day 14 (p = 0.028). The intervention group had a more evident reduction in enacted stigma (day 7, p = 0.04), internalized stigma (day 7, p = 0.008; day 14, p < 0.028), and perceived external stigma (day 7, p = 0.002) than the control group. However, there was no significant difference in terms of disclosure concern between the intervention and control groups. Furthermore, the reduction in depression, anxiety, and stress between the two groups did not significantly differ.ConclusionOnline COVID-19 destigmatization program provided prior to hospital discharge is an effective tool in reducing stigmatization, particularly within the first 2 weeks after reintegration into society, among the survivors of COVID-19.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1234038/fullCOVID-19coronavirus disease 2019stigmaonline interventioninternet-based interventionmental health |
spellingShingle | Kamolvisa Techapoonpon Chayut Wonglertwisawakorn Nitchawan Kerdchareon Wisarat Pruttithavorn Orranee Srikhamdokkhae Can a brief session of the online coronavirus disease 2019 destigmatization program reduce stigma among survivors? A randomized controlled trial Frontiers in Psychiatry COVID-19 coronavirus disease 2019 stigma online intervention internet-based intervention mental health |
title | Can a brief session of the online coronavirus disease 2019 destigmatization program reduce stigma among survivors? A randomized controlled trial |
title_full | Can a brief session of the online coronavirus disease 2019 destigmatization program reduce stigma among survivors? A randomized controlled trial |
title_fullStr | Can a brief session of the online coronavirus disease 2019 destigmatization program reduce stigma among survivors? A randomized controlled trial |
title_full_unstemmed | Can a brief session of the online coronavirus disease 2019 destigmatization program reduce stigma among survivors? A randomized controlled trial |
title_short | Can a brief session of the online coronavirus disease 2019 destigmatization program reduce stigma among survivors? A randomized controlled trial |
title_sort | can a brief session of the online coronavirus disease 2019 destigmatization program reduce stigma among survivors a randomized controlled trial |
topic | COVID-19 coronavirus disease 2019 stigma online intervention internet-based intervention mental health |
url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1234038/full |
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