Perceived Parents’ Stigma and Personal Stigma Toward COVID-19 Survivors: A Study Among Emerging Adults in India

Shanu Shukla (), Sushanta Kumar Mishra and Ranu Pandey
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Shanu Shukla: Interdisciplinary Research Team on Internet and Society, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, 60200 Brno, Czech Republic
Sushanta Kumar Mishra: OB&HRM Area, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, Bangalore 560076, Karnataka, India
Ranu Pandey: Department of Mathematics, JSS University, Noida 201301, Uttar Pradesh, India

Societies, 2024, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-13

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic introduced widespread stigma toward individuals who contracted the virus, impacting social interactions and perceptions within communities. This study aimed to understand personal and perceived parental stigma toward COVID-19 survivors among Indian college students, examining how this stigma varies based on the relationship closeness to the survivor (peer vs. best friend) and whether gender differences influence personal stigma levels. A sample of 650 Indian college students (mean age = 20.01 years, SD = 1.43; 501 males) participated in the study. We assessed both personal stigma and perceived parental stigma toward COVID-19 survivors, with additional comparisons made based on the survivor’s relationship to the student (peer vs. best friend) and participant gender. Findings indicated that personal and perceived parental stigma were significantly higher toward peers than toward best friends who had recovered from COVID-19. Additionally, among perceived parental stigmas, stigma attributed to mothers was highest, followed by that attributed to fathers, with participants’ personal stigma being lowest. Notably, no significant gender differences were found in personal stigma among participants. The results highlight nuanced perceptions of stigma toward COVID-19 survivors, with stigma levels varying by relational closeness and perceived parental attitudes, particularly mothers. These findings underscore the importance of targeting stigma reduction efforts, considering family influence and relational factors. Policymakers and mental health professionals could develop age-specific interventions to mitigate stigma toward COVID-19 survivors, potentially enhancing social support systems within college communities.

Keywords: COVID-19 survivors; perceived parents’ stigma; personal stigma; emerging adults (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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