Psychological distress and quality of life in XXXX : the role of health-related stigma, illness appraisals and social constraints.

@entity1 @entity308 @entity5 @entity2 @entity458 @entity148
OBJECTIVE: Health-related stigma is associated with negative psychological and quality of life outcomes in @entity2 @entity1 . This study describes the impact of stigma on @entity2 @entity1 ' @entity458 and quality of life and explores the role of social constraints and illness appraisal as mediators of effect. METHODS: A self-administered cross-sectional survey examined @entity458 and quality of life in 151 @entity1 (59% response rate) diagnosed with @entity2 from Queensland and New South Wales. Health-related stigma, social constraints and illness appraisals were assessed as predictors of adjustment outcomes. RESULTS: Forty-nine percent of @entity1 reported elevated @entity148 ; 41% were @entity308 ; and 51% had high global distress. Health-related stigma was significantly related to @entity458 and quality of life with greater stigma and shame related to poorer outcomes. These effects were mediated by illness appraisals and social constraints. CONCLUSIONS: Health-related stigma appears to contribute to poorer adjustment by constraining interpersonal discussions about @entity5 and heightening feelings of threat. There is a need for the development and evaluation of interventions to ameliorate the negative effects of health-related stigma among @entity2 @entity1 .    2015 The Authors. Psycho-Oncology Published by John Wiley _ Sons Ltd.
