Level and impact factors of stigma in people living with stroke patients in community

Objective To investigate the level and impact factors of stigma in people living with stroke patients in community. Methods A total of 189 stroke patients in community were investigated by general information questionnaire, Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness, Medical Moping Questionnaire, Self-Rating Depression Scale and Social Support Rating Scale. Results The total score of stigma was (44.96±16.71) points, score of self-stigma was (27.70±10.91) points, score of enacted-stigma was (17.26±7.00) points. Multiple regression analysis showed that stroke patients′ depression, avoiding coping, subjective support and activity of daily living were impact factors of stigma, which explained 57.5% of the variance. Conclusions Community nurses should pay attention to the stigma of stroke patients in community, especially focus on those with higher degree of depression and lower activity of daily living, guiding them to adopt positive coping strategies and enhance subjective support. Oriented by influencing factors, proper intervention should be provided to lower the level of stigma, promote psychosomatic rehabilitation. Key words: Stroke; Stigma; Influencing factors