Comparing stigmatising attitudes towards people with substance use disorders between the general public, GPs, mental health and addiction specialists and clients

Dados Bibliográficos

ID19275151
AutoresLeonieke C van Boekel (0000-0002-4133-8396, Tilburg University), Evelien Brouwers (0000-0002-4053-8054, Tilburg University), Evelien PM Brouwers (Tilburg University), Jaap Van Weeghel (0000-0002-8537-6167, Tilburg University), H F L Garretsen (0000-0002-4759-2651, Tilburg University), Henk FL Garretsen (Tilburg University)
Ano2015
Volume61
Fascículo6
Páginas539-549
Data de publicação2015-09-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Social Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0020-7640 • E-ISSN: 1741-2854
EditoraSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0020764014562051
PMID25500945
OpenAlexW2137364304
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas22
Referências citadas37

BACKGROUND: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are among the most severely stigmatised conditions; however, little is known about the nature of these stigmatising attitudes. AIMS: To assess and compare stigmatising attitudes towards persons with SUDs among different stakeholders: general public, general practitioners (GPs), mental health and addiction specialists, and clients in treatment for substance abuse. METHODS: Cross-sectional study (N = 3,326) in which stereotypical beliefs, attribution beliefs (e.g. perceptions about controllability and responsibility for having an addiction), social distance and expectations about rehabilitation opportunities for individuals with substance use disorders were assessed and compared between stakeholders. RESULTS: Individuals with substance use disorders elicited great social distance across all stakeholders. Stereotypical beliefs were not different between stakeholders, whereas attribution beliefs were more diverse. Considering social distance and expectations about rehabilitation opportunities, the general public was most pessimistic, followed by GPs, mental health and addiction specialists, and clients. Stereotypical and attribution beliefs, as well as age, gender and socially desirable answering, were not associated with social distance across all stakeholders. CONCLUSION: The general public and GPs expressed more social distance and were more negative in their expectations about rehabilitation opportunities, compared to mental health and addiction specialists and clients. Although stigmatising attitudes were prevalent across all groups, no striking differences were found between stakeholders

Addiction · Attribution · Mental health · Perception · Pessimism · Psychiatry · Public health · Social distance · Substance abuse · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Nursing · Psychology · Rehabilitation · Smoking Behavior and Cessation · Social Psychology · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes