Assessing the Impact of Stigma on Self-Esteem among patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic lung condition affecting the ability to breathe normally, with millions of people suffering around the globe. Alongside physical handicaps, many patients encounter stigma, which can adversely affect the self-esteem and mental wellness of the patients. Objective: To study the relationship between stigma and self-esteem among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at District Headquarter Hospital (DHQ), Turbat, and DHQ Hospital Khuzdar, from January 2023 to July 2023. A total of 220 COPD patients were included in this study, focusing on the relationship of stigma with self-esteem among the patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The descriptive statistics used in this study included percentages, averages, and frequency distributions in summary for demographic and health characteristics among participants. The p-value of 0.05 is considered a statistical significance point. SPSS version 22 was used to analyze the data. Results: Nearly half (47.7%) of the patients sensed moderate stigma; 24.1% experienced major stigma. A majority possessed low self-esteem (30.5%), while only 19.5% reported high self-esteem. A highly negative correlation was observed between stigma and self-esteem (r = -0.58, p < 0.001), indicating that self-esteem decreases as feelings of stigma increase. Conclusion: Stigma greatly affects self-esteem among patients with COPD. Awareness, emotional support, and reducing misconceptions would help to improve their quality of life. Further research is needed to formulate applicable strategies for stigma reduction.