Contents
Fear of the virus, acquiring almost superstitious forms, can lead to rejection of people who have contracted it. There is a negative tendency in society to socially stigmatize those who are infected or have been in contact with the sick. What prejudices underlie this phenomenon, what dangers it poses and how to get rid of such stigmatization, explains psychologist Patrick Corrigan.
For a modern person accustomed to an active lifestyle, the threat posed by a pandemic and the need to stay at home is a frightening and even surreal experience. Adding to the confusion are the news and conspiracy theories hyped online, some of which cast doubt on reality. And it’s not easy to get used to reality itself.
Man is not a disease
Psychologist and researcher Patrick Corrigan, editor of the American Psychological Association’s Journal of Stigma and Health, says we’re in uncharted territory when it comes to pandemic and stigma issues. This means that the phenomenon of negative attitudes, alienation and social stigmatization of those who fell ill in such conditions has not been studied by modern science. He explores the issue and shares his assessment of the situation.
In his opinion, the general confusion becomes a breeding ground for stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination. The peculiarities of the psyche give rise in us to the need to understand events, especially threatening and unprecedented ones. Why is the coronavirus pandemic affecting humanity? What’s to blame?
The virus was called «Chinese», and this definition does not contribute to understanding the threat at all
The obvious answer is the virus itself. We as a society can come together to fight the threat, striving to stop its spread by isolating ourselves from each other.
The problem of stigmatization arises when a virus and a sick person mix in our minds. In this case, we change the question from «What’s to blame?» to «Who’s to blame?» Over 20 years of research has shown that stigmatization, the social labeling of people with certain diseases, can be as harmful as the disease itself.
Professor Corrigan talks about absurd examples of the spread of concern about the coronavirus. For example, it was called «Chinese», and this definition does not at all contribute to the understanding of the threat, but inflates the fire of ethnic fanaticism. This, the researcher writes, is the danger of stigmatization: a similar term repeatedly links the experience of a pandemic with racism.
Socially stigmatized victims of the virus
Who can be affected by the stigmatization of the coronavirus? The most obvious victims are people with symptoms or a positive test result. Sociologist Irving Hoffman would say that because of the virus, their identity is «corrupted», «tarnished», which, in the eyes of others, seems to justify the prejudice against them. The family and circle of acquaintances will be added to the sick — they will also be stigmatized.
Researchers have determined that one of the results of stigma is social distancing. Socially stigmatized, «corrupted» individuals are avoided by society. A person can be bypassed like a leper, or distanced psychologically.
Stigma risk occurs when distance from the virus mixes with distance from the infected
Corrigan, who researches the stigmatization of people with psychiatric diagnoses, writes that this can manifest itself in different areas. According to him, a person with the “stigma” of certain diseases may be shunned by educators, not hired by employers, denied rent by landlords, religious communities may not accept him into their ranks, and doctors may be neglected.
In the situation with coronavirus, this is superimposed on the real need to keep a distance in order to reduce the infection rate. Health organizations urge, if possible, not to approach other people by more than 1,5-2 meters. “The risk of stigma arises when distance from a virus is mixed with distance from an infected person,” Corrigan writes.
By no means suggesting that social distancing recommendations be ignored and recognizing the need for this measure to reduce the spread of coronavirus, he urges at the same time to be mindful of the stigma that can spread to an infected person.
Dangers stigmatization
So what to do about stigma during a pandemic? First of all, says Corrigan, you need to call a spade a spade. Recognize that there is a problem. Sick people can be discriminated against and disrespected, and this is just as wrong as any form of racism, sexism and ageism. But a disease is not the same as the person it infects, and it is important to separate one from the other.
Social stigmatization of the sick harms them in three ways. First, it is a public stigmatization. When people perceive sick people as “spoiled”, this can lead to some form of discrimination and harm.
Secondly, it is self-stigmatization. People infected with or exposed to the virus internalize the stereotypes imposed by society and consider themselves «spoiled» or «dirty». Not only is the disease itself difficult to fight, people still have to be ashamed of themselves.
Labels most often appear in connection with testing or treatment experience
Third is the avoidance of labels. Irving Goffman said that stigmatization is associated with an obvious and observable sign: skin color when it comes to racism, body structure in sexism, or, for example, gray hair in ageism. However, in the case of diseases, everything is different, because they are hidden.
No one knows which of the one hundred people gathered in the room is a carrier of COVID-19, including, possibly, himself. Stigmatization occurs when a label appears: «This is Max, he is infected.» And labels most often appear in connection with the experience of testing or treatment. “I just saw Max leaving the laboratory where they are taking a test for coronavirus. He must be infected!»
Clearly, people will avoid being labeled, which means they are likely to shy away from testing or isolation if they test positive.
How to change the situation?
In the scientific literature, two approaches to changing stigma can be found: education and contact.
Education
The number of myths about the disease is reduced when people learn the facts about its transmission, prognosis and treatment. According to Corrigan, everyone can contribute by helping to educate the general public in these matters. Official news sites regularly publish useful information about the disease.
It is especially important not to support the dissemination of unverified and often false information. There have been many such cases, and an attempt to deal with the consequences of misinformation can lead to disputes and mutual insults — that is, a battle of opinions, not an exchange of knowledge. Instead, Corrigan encourages sharing the science behind the pandemic and encouraging readers to think.
Contact
In his opinion, this is the best way to smooth out the negative feelings in a person who has been stigmatized. Research shows that interaction between such people and society is the best way to eliminate the harmful effects of stigma.
Corrigan’s practice includes many mentally ill clients for whom interaction with others is the most effective way to replace prejudice and discrimination with ideas of honesty and respect. This process is most effective in the case of communication with peers, people with similar social status. Therefore, communication between those who are “marked” with the coronavirus and the public will help to remove the stigma from the former and make a difference.
The patient can either describe his feelings, fears, fears and experiences during the illness, or talk about the illness, having already recovered, rejoicing together with sympathetic listeners or readers about his recovery. Both sick and recovered, he remains the same as everyone else, a person with dignity and the right to respect and acceptance.
It also has a positive effect on the fact that celebrities are not afraid to admit that they are infected.
In cases with other diseases, live contact is most effective. However, during the quarantine, of course, it will be media and online. “First-person blogs and videos where people with COVID-19 tell stories of infection, illness, and recovery will have a positive impact on public attitudes and reduce stigma,” Corrigan said. “Perhaps real-time videos will have an even greater impact, especially those where viewers can see for themselves the impact of the disease on the life of a particular person.”
Positively affects the situation and the fact that celebrities are not afraid to admit that they are infected. Some describe their feelings. This gives people a sense of belonging and reduces stigma. However, studies show that the words of the stars have less impact than the interaction with the average and closer person to us — a colleague, neighbor or classmate.
After the pandemic
The campaign against stigma must continue after the end of the pandemic, the expert believes. In fact, a lingering consequence of the global infection may be a negative attitude towards people who have recovered from the coronavirus. In an atmosphere of fear and confusion, they can remain stigmatized in the eyes of society for a long time.
“Contact is the best way to deal with this,” repeats Patrick Corrigan. “After the pandemic, we must put aside the prevailing notions of social distancing due to circumstances and promote face-to-face communication. It is necessary to convene public meetings where people who have gone through the disease will talk about their experience and recovery. The greatest effect is achieved when they are respectfully, sincerely greeted by significant people, including those with a certain authority.
Hope and dignity are the medicines that will help us cope with the pandemic. They will also help to cope with the problem of stigmatization that may arise in the future. “Let’s take care of its solution together, sharing these values,” urges Professor Corrigan.
About the Author: Patrick Corrigan is a psychologist and researcher who specializes in the socialization of people with mental disorders.