Wang Cong, Mu Yun-Fei, Cai Jia, Wang Yu, Deng Zhong-Yue, Deng Ai-Ping, Song Hong-Jun, Zhang Tian-Ming, Zhao Xin-Yi, Yang Yi-Yue, Yin Li, Huang Yi, Luo Jian-Jun, Ran Mao-Sheng
Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Department of Social Psychiatry, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Front Public Health. 2025 Jul 28;13:1596929. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1596929. eCollection 2025.
COVID-19-related stigma, a persistent consequence of the pandemic, poses a significant threat to the well-being of individuals, particularly young students in crucial developmental stages. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of stigma views towards COVID-19 patients among young students in Sichuan Province, China, following the lifting of pandemic restrictions, and explored the associated influencing factors.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted online involving 82,873 young students. Data on demographic information, COVID-19-related experiences, and stigma views were collected. Logistic regression analysis identified risk factors for stigma, while Random Forest (RF) modeling ranked the importance of these factors.
20,155 (24.3%) participants reported stigmatizing views toward COVID-19 patients. Higher levels of psychological stress, particularly post-restriction lifting, significant emerged as a risk factor for stigma. Both self-infection and family members' infection were risk factors of stigma, although psychological stress proved more influential. Furthermore, male students, those from minority groups, and those with rural household registrations exhibited higher stigma risk.
These findings highlight the enduring nature of COVID-19 stigma among young students even after restrictions lifted. Targeted interventions aimed at reducing stigma and mitigating psychological stress are crucial for supporting the well-being of this vulnerable population.
与新冠疫情相关的污名化现象是疫情持续存在的后果，对个人福祉构成重大威胁，尤其是处于关键发育阶段的青年学生。本研究旨在调查中国四川省青年学生在疫情限制解除后对新冠患者的污名化观点的流行情况，并探讨相关影响因素。
开展了一项在线横断面调查，涉及82,873名青年学生。收集了人口统计学信息、与新冠疫情相关的经历以及污名化观点的数据。逻辑回归分析确定了污名化的风险因素，而随机森林（RF）模型对这些因素的重要性进行了排序。
20,155名（24.3%）参与者报告了对新冠患者的污名化观点。较高水平的心理压力，尤其是在限制解除后，显著成为污名化的一个风险因素。自我感染和家庭成员感染都是污名化的风险因素，尽管心理压力被证明更具影响力。此外，男学生、少数民族学生和农村户籍学生表现出更高的污名化风险。
这些发现凸显了即使在限制解除后，新冠污名化在青年学生中依然存在。旨在减少污名化和减轻心理压力的针对性干预措施对于支持这一弱势群体的福祉至关重要。
