Effect of Stigma on Nurses' Mental Health and Social Support during COVID-19 Pandemic

Background : Nurses always a public target of stigmatization through extensive infections and COVID-19 which lead to psychological and social disorders among them. Aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Stigma towards nurses during COVID-19 pandemic on nurses , mental health and social support. Design : descriptive correlational was utilized. Setting : The study was conducted at the survey through a link shared on nurse networking sites. Sample : A purposive sample of 500 nurses was asked to complete an online survey. Data collection conducted from 8 May 2021 to 9 July 2021 in Egypt. Tools : an online semi-structured questionnaire consisted of 4 parts ; ( 1) personal data such as age, sex, residence, marital status, and level of education. (2) Effect 16 items COVID19 stigma (E16-COVID19-S); measuring level of stigma, (3) scale of Indicators of negative mental health impact to measure negative health impacts, and (4) scale of impact on social and family support to measure level of social support. Results : showed that nurses suffered from a moderate level of stigma and social support. But, one half of the nurses studied suffered from a high level of Negative impact on mental health. Statistical tests showed a statistically significant difference between all factors of stigma and years of experience, courses of training and worked in COVID-19 facility. Also, there was a positive effect of the stigma on impacts indicators of negative health, and negatively impacts social support. Conclusion : Stigma towards nurses during COVID-19 pandemic was positive predictors of the negative mental health impact, while being negative predictors of family and social support improvement. Recommendations : educational and Psychological intervention program about stigma and discrimination for nurses to ensure adequate adaptation and high quality of health care. E16-COVID19-S stigma factors. The current study showed that reveals that male nurses, those aged 20–30, highly educated nurses, trained nurses (11–20 years), and those working at COVID facilities or quarantine centers have the highest percentage of personalized stigma, disclosure concerns, public attitudes, and negative experiences. There is a statistical significance between all of them and all three stigma-related factors.