Clarification of stigma concepts in research with families of individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities

Knowledge and attitudes towards vitiligo in egyptian and palestinian communities: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is an acquired dermatological condition characterized by localized skin depigmentation. It affects 0.5% to 2% of the population, impacting individuals across various ages, races, and genders. The psychosocial effects of Vitiligo can significantly influence quality of life, particularly in people with darker skin tones, where the contrast of lesions is more pronounced.

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated public knowledge, attitudes, and misconceptions regarding Vitiligo in Egypt and Palestine, focusing on specific demographic Variations and the potential need for improved community engagement and education.

METHOD

A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1,045 participants from Egypt and 450 participants from the West Bank. An online self-administered questionnaire was developed using Google Forms. The eligibility criteria for participation included Egyptian and Palestinian citizens residing in the West Bank. Individuals under 18 years or outside the designated study settings were excluded from participation. This study was conducted from April 2024 to August 2024.

RESULTS

The analysis indicated that 62.8% of participants demonstrated adequate knowledge of Vitiligo; however, only 87.6% exhibited favorable attitudes toward the condition. The study revealed significant variations in knowledge and attitudes based on gender, occupation, previous health professional experience, and social status. Economic level and geographic location. Educational level was found to have a considerable impact on attitudes. Multiple linear regression analysis identified several significant predictors of. Knowledge and attitude scores included male gender, age categories of 18 to 25 and over 50, marital status, occupation in a health profession, personal experience with Vitiligo, prior awareness of the condition, and the attitude score itself. This explained 30.2% of the variance in knowledge scores and 28.1% in attitude ratings.fig.

CONCLUSION

This study provides valuable insights into public awareness and perceptions of Vitiligo in Egypt and Palestine. A significant proportion of the participants demonstrated adequate awareness of the condition; however, favorable opinions appeared less prevalent. Notable discrepancies were observed among the various demographic characteristics, highlighting the need for targeted initiatives, such as media campaigns and school-based education, aimed at addressing information gaps and improving public perception.

Moderating effects of general self-efficacy on courtesy stigma and anxiety and depressive symptoms of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder

Background

Stigma, anxiety and depressive symptoms are highly prevalent in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and may have a detrimental impact on the rehabilitation and treatment of children with ASD, ultimately leading to more behavioral issues and higher rates of disability. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the association between general self-efficacy, courtesy stigma, and anxiety and depressive symptoms, and to further discuss whether general self-efficacy moderated the association between courtesy stigma and anxiety and depressive symptoms in parents of children with ASD.

Methods

A total of 409 parents of children with ASD from Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, Eastern China participated in a cross-sectional survey. A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic characteristics, courtesy stigma, general self-efficacy, anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to assess the associations of courtesy stigma, general self-efficacy and courtesy stigma × general self-efficacy interaction with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Simple slope analysis was used to visualize the interaction.

Results

The courtesy stigma of parents of children with ASD was positively correlated with anxiety (B = 0.374, P < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (B = 0.366, P < 0.001). General self-efficacy was negatively correlated with anxiety (B = -0.200, P < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (B = -0.210, P < 0.001). The association between courtesy stigma and anxiety symptoms was different in the high (1 standard deviation (SD) above the mean, b = 0.258, standard error (SE) = 0.056, t = 4.567, P < 0.001) and low (1 SD below the mean, b = 0.470, SE = 0.053, t = 8.870, P < 0.001) groups of general self-efficacy. In addition, the association between courtesy stigma and depressive symptoms was also different in the high (1 SD above the mean, b = 0.241, SE = 0.056, t = 4.268, P < 0.001) and low (1 SD below the mean, b = 0.469, SE = 0.053, t = 8.844, P < 0.001) groups of general self-efficacy.

Conclusions

General self-efficacy could moderate the impact of courtesy stigma on anxiety and depressive symptoms. Therefore, among parents of children with ASD who experienced high courtesy stigma, enhancing general self-efficacy could be an effective strategy to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms in this population.

Revealing the Most Vulnerable Groups: Courtesy Stigma in Caregivers of Autistic Persons in Quebec

Introduction

Caregivers of autistic persons often face "courtesy stigma," a phenomenon by which caregivers experience stigma because of their association with a person whose disability may be stigmatized. Understanding the repercussions of this stigma is crucial not only for caregivers' mental health but also for the quality of care provided to their dependent. This study aimed to explore courtesy stigma among caregivers of autistic persons in Quebec, examining its prevalence and impact in order to identify groups that are particularly susceptible to negative outcomes.

Methods

This study used a cross-sectional online survey methodology employing quota sampling to collect responses from 194 participants. Data were collected using a computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) platform. The impact of courtesy stigma was measured in terms of care burden, mental health, and overall well-being of caregivers.

Results

The findings revealed that caregivers frequently experience rejection, isolation, and work-related challenges. Notably, caregivers' health was below average with the lowest reported health outcomes in Quebec. The caregivers who are the most vulnerable to negative outcomes included female caregivers, those aged 45 or older, financially strained households, caregivers of children requiring elevated levels of support, caregivers who isolated due to their autistic dependents, and those who experienced stigmatization directed at themselves or their children in the form of rejection.Interestingly, 60% of respondents reported that the caregiving burden was "not at all" to "somewhat" difficult, raising questions about factors that may mitigate caregiving challenges over time.

Conclusion

Negative outcomes from courtesy stigma vary depending on certain risk factors and individual characteristic. This study underscores the need for targeted public policies and interventions, particularly for those at a higher risk of experiencing the negative effects of courtesy stigma on the burden of care, overall health, and mental health. By tailoring resources and support for these priority groups, we can better address the challenges faced by families of autistic persons.

Longitudinal impact of self-stigma content and process on parental warmth and hostility among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder

This study examined whether self-stigma content and process would prospectively influence parental warmth and hostility through increasing parenting stress among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). On three occasions across two years, 441 Hong Kong parents of children with ASD provided questionnaire data. Path analyses showed that self-stigma content and process were associated with greater parenting stress, which was, in turn, associated with reduced parental warmth and increased parental hostility. Our findings reveal the longitudinal influences of self-stigma on parenting practices and demonstrate how these influences can be explained by parenting stress. Our findings also suggest the importance of supporting parents of children with ASD to mitigate self-stigma and associated parenting stress in improving their parenting practices.