Enacted Ebola Stigma and Health-related Quality of Life in Post Ebola Epidemic: A Psychosocial Mediation Framework Through Social Support, Self-Efficacy, and Coping

Cyrille Kossigan Kokou-Kpolou (), Daniel Derivois, Cécile Rousseau, Oléa Balayulu-Makila, Saba Hajizadeh, Jean-Pierre Birangui, Mireille Guerrier, Jacqueline Bukaka and Jude Mary Cénat
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Cyrille Kossigan Kokou-Kpolou: University of Ottawa
Daniel Derivois: Université Bourgogne Franche Comté
Cécile Rousseau: McGill University
Oléa Balayulu-Makila: Université Bourgogne Franche Comté
Saba Hajizadeh: University of Ottawa
Jean-Pierre Birangui: University of Lubumbashi
Mireille Guerrier: University of Ottawa
Jacqueline Bukaka: University of Kinshasa
Jude Mary Cénat: University of Ottawa

Applied Research in Quality of Life, 2022, vol. 17, issue 5, No 19, 2809-2832

Abstract: Abstract On-site experiences and reports have shown that the multiple outbreaks of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) resulted in pervasive experience of stigma against many people who have recovered from EVD as well as their families and close relatives. Three evidence-based protective factors which are supposed to mitigate the impact of enacted Ebola stigma on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of individuals in this epidemic context were identified. We expected that positive religious coping, perceived social support, and general self-efficacy would mediate the relationship between enacted Ebola stigma and HRQoL. These hypotheses were tested through multiple mediation model using the structural equation modeling among a large sample of adult populations (N = 1614; 50% women) in the province of Equateur in the DRC, in the aftermath of the 9th Ebola outbreak. The mediation model yielded adequate fit statistics and the results provided strong evidence that higher levels of enacted Ebola stigma were associated with lower HRQoL. They confirmed the synergetic mediating effects of positive religious coping, perceived social support from family (but not from others sources) and general self-efficacy. Futher exploratory findings revealed that the perceived social support from family buffered the impact of enacted Ebola stigma on HRQoL. If replicated by a longitudinal study, our findings lay a solid foundation for empirical-based community mental health interventions for reducing enacted Ebola stigma and promoting HRQoL during epidemics, especially in the DRC.

Keywords: Ebola epidemics; Stigma; Quality of life; Social support; General self-efficacy; Religious coping (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1007/s11482-022-10039-x

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