Twin-center study comparing stigma among males and females with alcohol dependence

Introduction: Alcohol dependence is a complex disorder that affects brain function and behavior, characterized by impaired functioning, causing considerable harm to the individuals with the disorders and to society as a whole. Stigma associated with substance use is considered a significant barrier...

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Main Authors: Megha Sadashiv, Anil Kakunje, Ravichandra Karkal, Sadashivaiah H Ganganna
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2020-01-01
Series:Social Health and Behavior
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.shbonweb.com/article.asp?issn=2589-9767;year=2020;volume=3;issue=2;spage=38;epage=42;aulast=Sadashiv
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spelling doaj-47824410dc7d4076880aef37121d4c9b2020-11-25T03:22:47ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsSocial Health and Behavior2589-97672589-97672020-01-0132384210.4103/SHB.SHB_14_20Twin-center study comparing stigma among males and females with alcohol dependenceMegha SadashivAnil KakunjeRavichandra KarkalSadashivaiah H GangannaIntroduction: Alcohol dependence is a complex disorder that affects brain function and behavior, characterized by impaired functioning, causing considerable harm to the individuals with the disorders and to society as a whole. Stigma associated with substance use is considered a significant barrier to detection and treatment efforts, and research is needed to understand and address this issue. This study aimed to assess and compare stigma among males and females with alcohol dependence. Methods: The twin-center study involved 70 patients with alcohol dependence, which included 35 males and 35 females from the Department of Psychiatry, Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore, and Abyudaya Center for Humanity and Rural Development, Integrated Rehabilitation Center for Addiction, Tumkur, India. The mean age of males was 39.14 years and females 41.00 years. The Substance Use Stigma Mechanisms Scale was used to assess stigma. The study had outpatients and inpatients who were above 18 years of age and diagnosed with alcohol dependence as per the ICD-10 criteria, not under the influence of alcohol at the time of interview and without any comorbid psychiatric illness except nicotine dependence. Results: The study showed anticipated stigma more in females (mean: 2.30) compared to males (mean: 1.91) which could be a significant factor for treatment-seeking behavior. Internalized stigma was more in males (mean: 3.84) compared to females (mean: 2.90). Enacted stigma did not show a significant difference between the two genders in our study. Conclusion: Persons with alcohol dependence experience stigma, and we found that there is a gender difference. Stigma associated with substance use is considered a significant barrier to detection and treatment efforts. Understanding various aspects of stigma will help in providing better management.http://www.shbonweb.com/article.asp?issn=2589-9767;year=2020;volume=3;issue=2;spage=38;epage=42;aulast=Sadashivaddictionalcohol dependencestigmasubstance use stigma mechanisms scale
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Megha Sadashiv
Anil Kakunje
Ravichandra Karkal
Sadashivaiah H Ganganna
spellingShingle Megha Sadashiv
Anil Kakunje
Ravichandra Karkal
Sadashivaiah H Ganganna
Twin-center study comparing stigma among males and females with alcohol dependence
Social Health and Behavior
addiction
alcohol dependence
stigma
substance use stigma mechanisms scale
author_facet Megha Sadashiv
Anil Kakunje
Ravichandra Karkal
Sadashivaiah H Ganganna
author_sort Megha Sadashiv
title Twin-center study comparing stigma among males and females with alcohol dependence
title_short Twin-center study comparing stigma among males and females with alcohol dependence
title_full Twin-center study comparing stigma among males and females with alcohol dependence
title_fullStr Twin-center study comparing stigma among males and females with alcohol dependence
title_full_unstemmed Twin-center study comparing stigma among males and females with alcohol dependence
title_sort twin-center study comparing stigma among males and females with alcohol dependence
publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
series Social Health and Behavior
issn 2589-9767
2589-9767
publishDate 2020-01-01
description Introduction: Alcohol dependence is a complex disorder that affects brain function and behavior, characterized by impaired functioning, causing considerable harm to the individuals with the disorders and to society as a whole. Stigma associated with substance use is considered a significant barrier to detection and treatment efforts, and research is needed to understand and address this issue. This study aimed to assess and compare stigma among males and females with alcohol dependence. Methods: The twin-center study involved 70 patients with alcohol dependence, which included 35 males and 35 females from the Department of Psychiatry, Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore, and Abyudaya Center for Humanity and Rural Development, Integrated Rehabilitation Center for Addiction, Tumkur, India. The mean age of males was 39.14 years and females 41.00 years. The Substance Use Stigma Mechanisms Scale was used to assess stigma. The study had outpatients and inpatients who were above 18 years of age and diagnosed with alcohol dependence as per the ICD-10 criteria, not under the influence of alcohol at the time of interview and without any comorbid psychiatric illness except nicotine dependence. Results: The study showed anticipated stigma more in females (mean: 2.30) compared to males (mean: 1.91) which could be a significant factor for treatment-seeking behavior. Internalized stigma was more in males (mean: 3.84) compared to females (mean: 2.90). Enacted stigma did not show a significant difference between the two genders in our study. Conclusion: Persons with alcohol dependence experience stigma, and we found that there is a gender difference. Stigma associated with substance use is considered a significant barrier to detection and treatment efforts. Understanding various aspects of stigma will help in providing better management.
topic addiction
alcohol dependence
stigma
substance use stigma mechanisms scale
url http://www.shbonweb.com/article.asp?issn=2589-9767;year=2020;volume=3;issue=2;spage=38;epage=42;aulast=Sadashiv
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AT ravichandrakarkal twincenterstudycomparingstigmaamongmalesandfemaleswithalcoholdependence
AT sadashivaiahhganganna twincenterstudycomparingstigmaamongmalesandfemaleswithalcoholdependence
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