Stigma and mental health in patients with a cancer diagnosis

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relationship between stigma and mental health in patients diagnosed with cancer. Material and Methods: Correlational study with a non-probabilistic sample of 250 patients diagnosed with cancer, between 26 and 72 years of age (85.2% women and 14.8% men). Data collection was carried out in a private health center using the Perceived, Experienced and Internalized Stigma Questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), and a sociodemographic characteristics form. Data analysis was performed using Pearson's correlation coefficient, and the magnitude of the effects was analyzed using the Gignac and Szodorai criteria. Results: Large effect inverse associations were identified between mental health and perceived stigma (r = -0.362), experienced stigma (r = -0.413) and internalized stigma (r = -0.479). Conclusions: The results support that the higher the perceived, experienced, and internalized stigma, the lower the mental health scores of patients with a cancer diagnosis.