Jiajia Zhu

Ms. Jiajia Zhu


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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19 February 2026 in Behavioral Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SYShiming Yao
Shiming Yao
JZJiajia Zhu
Jiajia Zhu
YMYan Mu
Yan Mu
Understanding public stigma against patients (also known as disease stigma)—negative attitudes or discriminatory responses toward individuals with a disease—is essential for improving health outcomes and fostering inclusive communities. In this study, 279 participants rated their responses toward eight disease groups (e.g., HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, and depression). Using multiple factor analysis, we identified three components of disease stigma: exclusionary (e.g., avoidance and harmful evaluation), prosocial (e.g., sympathy and helping), and attribution (blame/responsibility). Confirmatory factor analysis supported this three-component structure. Repeated-measures ANOVAs revealed systematic differences across diseases: COVID-19 and schizophrenia elicited stronger exclusionary responses, depression evoked the strongest prosocial responses, and HIV/AIDS was associated with the highest attribution of blame. Linear mixed-effects models further indicated that perceived cultural tightness was positively associated with the attribution component, self-control was positively associated with the prosocial component, and higher self-esteem was linked to greater exclusionary responses. Furthermore, network analysis showed dense within-component clustering (e.g., trust—negative evaluation; sympathy—helping) and a peripheral positioning of attribution within the stigma network. These findings provide insights into the psychological components of disease stigma and its cultural and personal correlates, providing targets for component-specific stigma reduction strategies.