Social Support to Reduce Disease-Related Stigma: Lesson Learned from Corona Virus Disease-19

Abstract

Stigma associated with COVID-19 is intense. One of the factors that can help in reducing stigma is social support. This research aims to explore stigma, efforts to deal with stigma, and support for people diagnosed with COVID-19. The research design is qualitative research using phenomenological approach and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Data collection was carried out in July-August 2020 through telephone interviews with eleven positive COVID-19 informants. Of the eleven informants who were COVID-19 positive, eight of them experienced stigma. Nonetheless, both stigmatized and non-stigmatized informants received social support. Friends and family are the main sources of support for stigmatized informants. Meanwhile, for non-stigmatized informants, the main support was obtained from the community. The results showed that social support can reduce or even eliminate stigma. The social support that comes from the community is the most influential in reducing stigma. From this research, public support is more efficient compared to individual support. When the community provides support together, the risk of stigma can be reduced. The results of this study can be used to prevent stigmatizing behavior by strengthening social support, especially community support.