Social stigma and mental health impairment in people with leprosy: An integrative review

Objective
To analyze the evidence as to how social stigma compromises the mental health of people with leprosy.

Method
Integrative review, searching the following databases: Pubmed/Medline, Cinahl, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs, BDENF and IBECS by VHL. The sample consisted of five primary studies, without temporal or language delimitation, following the PRISMA tool, and the analysis was synthesized and presented in synoptic tables.

Results
Mental suffering, anxious and depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, intense distress and social isolation were found as a result of the stigma suffered, which can be aggravated in the presence of sequelae, affecting work capacity and activities of daily living.

Conclusion
Social stigma acts as a psychosocial stressor, affecting emotional health, causing psychic damage to well-being and self-esteem.