Relationship between stigma and negative emotions among patients with Parkinson’s disease: The mediating role of health literacy and family function

Background

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder causing physical and psychological challenges. Stigma exacerbates negative emotions, resulting in anxiety and depression, as well as undermining self-perception and social participation. Health literacy aids in disease management, and family function plays a crucial supportive role. However, the interplay between these variables remains underexplored.

Objective

To examine the chain mediating effects of health literacy and family function between stigma and negative emotions in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Methods

This study adopted a cross-sectional design, recruiting eligible patients from a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou, China. A total of 245 participants completed questionnaires on stigma, health literacy, family function and negative emotions. Statistical analyses were performed using Spearman’s correlation and mediation effect analysis.

Results

Negative emotions were positively correlated with stigma (β = 0.584) and inversely associated with health literacy (β = −0.258) and family function (β = −0.144). Mediation effect analysis showed that the mediating effects of health literacy, family function, and their combined effects on the relationship between stigma and negative emotions were 0.033, 0.020, and 0.008, respectively, accounting for 8.89%, 5.39%, and 2.16% of the total effect.

Conclusions

Stigma in patients with Parkinson’s disease not only directly affects negative emotions but also indirectly influences them through health literacy and family function.