Democrats and independents stigmatize people with COVID-19 greater compared to Republicans

Department of Psychological Sciences
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  2. Healthy Communities Research Institute (HCRI) scholarly publications
  3. Democrats and independents stigmatize people with COVID-19 greater compared to Republicans
Author(s)
Abstract

Messaging about COVID-19 was different across the political spectrum, which influenced differences in attitudes surrounding COVID-19. This study examined the political affiliation/ideology on COVID-19 stigma (blame, deservingness of help, negative emotionality) and two mediators of this relationship: conspiracy beliefs and anxiety about COVID-19. Participants answered questions about their political affiliation and ideology, attitudes toward people who have contracted COVID-19; and COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs and anxiety. Democrats and Independents indirectly stigmatized people with COVID-19 via increased COVID-19 anxiety and fewer COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs relative to Republicans. Politicization can strongly impact stigma, and messaging could be harnessed as a stigma reduction tool.
Format
Article
Identifier(s)
10.1080/00224545.2022.2144709
Publication Date
2023
Publication Title
Journal of Social Psychology
Publisher
Taylor and Francis
Volume
163
Issue
2
First Page
158
Last Page
173
Keywords
Subject
Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Community
Department of Psychological Sciences
Permalink https://oaks.kent.edu/hcri/democrats-and-independents-stigmatize-people-covid-19-greater-compared-republicans
Monheim, C., & Himmelstein, M. (2023). Democrats and independents stigmatize people with COVID-19 greater compared to Republicans (1–). Journal of Social Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2022.2144709
Monheim, Chelsea, and Mary Himmelstein. 2023. “Democrats and Independents Stigmatize People With COVID-19 Greater Compared to Republicans”. Journal of Social Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2022.2144709.
Monheim, Chelsea, and Mary Himmelstein. Democrats and Independents Stigmatize People With COVID-19 Greater Compared to Republicans. Journal of Social Psychology, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2022.2144709.