Perceived Illness Stigma, Thwarted Belongingness, and Depressive Symptoms in Youth With Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Background: Studies have begun to identify psychosocial factors associated with depressive symptoms in youth with IBD. However, despite considerable speculation in the literature regarding the role of perceived stigma in both social and emotional adjustment outcomes, youth appraisals of stigma have yet to receive empirical attention. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the indirect effect of perceived illness stigma on depressive symptoms through its impact on social belongingness. Methods: Eighty youth (M-age = 14.96) with IBD completed measures of illness stigma, thwarted belongingness, and depressive symptoms during a scheduled clinic visit. Pediatric gastroenterologists provided estimates of disease activity. Analyses examined the direct and indirect effects of illness stigma on perceived thwarted belongingness and depressive symptoms. Results: Bootstrapped regression results revealed significant illness stigma -> depressive symptoms (beta = 0.33, 95% CI, 0.108 to 0.526), illness stigma -> thwarted belongingness (beta = 0.41, 95% CI, 0.061 to 0.739), and thwarted belongingness -> depressive symptoms (beta = 0.32, 95% CI, 0.143 to 0.474) direct paths. Mediation analyses revealed a significant illness stigma -> thwarted belongingness -> depressive symptoms indirect path (beta = 0.14, 95% CI, 0.034 to 0.310), suggesting increased appraisals of illness stigma impede youths' perceptions of social belongingness, which in turn, contribute to elevated depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Youth perceptions of illness stigma negatively impact social belongingness and depressive symptoms in youth with IBD. Further, decreased perceptions of social belongingness may be one potential route through which stigma influences emotional adjustment outcomes. Results support clinical observations regarding the relevance of illness stigma and social functioning as targets of intervention for improving emotional adjustment in youth with IBD.