The relationships between positive coping style, resilience, and illness stigma in patients with Meige syndrome: a cross-sectional study

Meng Li¹Mengtian Li^1,2Zhang Ning²Linghan Zhou¹Wenling ZHANG³Kezhen Yang¹Xiaoyu Yang¹Li Shen⁴Yanhong Li¹Feng Liu¹Qiong Li⁴Junfan Wei^5*Chanchan Gao^6*Huawei Li^1*

• ¹The Third People's Hospital of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
• ²Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
• ³Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
• ⁴Henan Vocational College of Tuina, Luoyang, China
• ⁵Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
• ⁶Southeast University Zhongda Hospital, Nanjing, China

Objectives：The present study aims to investigate the levels of illness stigma in patients with Meige syndrome and to determine the association of socio-demographic characteristics, positive coping style and resilience with illness stigma in patients with Meige syndrome. Method: A cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling was conducted in four hospitals in China from March 2025 to May 2025. A total of 280 patients clinically diagnosed with Meige syndrome were recruited. A socio-demographic characteristics questionnaire, the Chinese version of stigma scale for chronic illness, the Chinese version of simplified coping style questionnaire, and the Chinese version of 10-item Connor-Davidson resilience scale were used to perform this research. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 27.0. Result: A high level of illness stigma was observed among 280 participants, as reflected by a mean score of (90.40 ± 25.59). The present study identified a negative correlation between illness stigma with positive coping style and resilience. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that living arrangement (β = -0.16, P = 0.007), self-care ability (β = 0.13, P = 0.026), positive coping style (β = -0.15, P = 0.012), and resilience (β = -0.18, P = 0.002) were significant factors associated with illness stigma in Meige syndrome patients. Conclusion: This study reveals that patients with Meige syndrome experience high levels of illness stigma, which is associated with factors including living arrangement, self-care ability, positive coping style, and resilience. Health care professionals should prioritize stigma reduction in individuals with Meige syndrome, particularly those living alone or with limited self-care abilities, through targeted psychological support that enhances positive coping and resilience.