Risk Factors for Self-stigma among Incarcerated Women with Alcohol Use Disorder

The mindful resiliency in recovery model: empowering the transcendence of stigma

Introduction

Mindfulness-based interventions show unique promise in treating substance use disorders among marginalized populations who face heightened stigma. The Mindful Resiliency in Recovery Model is introduced as a novel theoretical framework articulating how mindfulness training can mitigate the adverse effects of stigma, enhance psychological resilience, and facilitate sustained recovery from addiction.

Methods

The current manuscript synthesizes various models of mindfulness processes, stigma, and substance use disorder recovery to propose an integrated theoretical framework on the promise of mindfulness-based interventions in supporting recovery. Further, the current manuscript draws upon empirical literature to establish preliminary support for the premises and hypotheses of the Mindful Resiliency in Recovery Model concerning the mechanisms influencing the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions among marginalized individuals.

Results

Preliminary evidence supports the premises of the proposed model. There is evidence to suggest that specific processes like increased present-moment awareness, acceptance, decentering, reappraisal, and savoring may be especially salient in mitigating internalized stigma and fostering resiliency in recovery. There is a need for additional research on these processes, and contextual factors that may moderate their efficacy.

Discussion

The Mindful Resiliency in Recovery Model has significant implications for optimizing mindfulness-based interventions to empower marginalized individuals to transcend stigma and actualize their capacity for wellbeing in substance use disorder recovery. It provides a roadmap for future research on the mechanisms and contextual factors affecting the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions for marginalized and stigmatized communities. It further offers guidance to clinicians utilizing mindfulness-based interventions to support individuals experiencing stigma.

Substance use stigma: A systematic review of measures and their psychometric properties

Background

Instruments to measure substance use stigma are emerging, however little is known regarding their psychometric properties. While research has evolved to view substance use stigma as a context sensitive international phenomenon that is embedded within cultures, validated self-report measures are lacking and comprehensive reviews of the existing measures are extremely limited. In this systematic review of substance use stigma and shame measures, we aim to contextualize results from existing research, lay the groundwork for future measurement development research, and provide a thorough resource for research scientists currently designing studies to measure substance use stigma.

Methods

We searched three databases using Boolean search terms for psychometric evaluations of measures of substance use stigma and shame and evaluated the quality/psychometric properties using an adaptation of the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) systematic review guidelines.

Results

We identified 18 measures of substance use stigma. Overall, most measures had minimal psychometric assessments and none of the measures met all domains of the COSMIN measure quality criteria. However, most studies reported satisfactory factor analyses and internal consistency scores.

Conclusions

Most measures of substance use stigma and shame had psychometric assessment across a limited range of criteria and no measures of structural substance use stigma were found. The most reported psychometric properties were structural validity and convergent validity. We suggest future researchers investigate test-retest reliability and cross-cultural validity for existing substance use stigma measures, as well as develop and evaluate novel measures assessing structural stigma of substance use.

The Causes and Consequences of Stigma among Individuals Involved in the Criminal Legal System: A Systematic Review

The purpose of this study was to systematically review the types of stigmatized attributes that have been assessed and the causes and consequences of stigma for individuals involved in the criminal legal system. PubMed, GoogleScholar, and PsycInfo databases were searched to identify studies for inclusion through March 2021. Eligible studies were peer-reviewed, quantitative, and assessed stigma from the perspective of the person involved in the criminal legal system. 59 studies were included (total n=21,738), assessing stigma associated with criminal involvement, HIV, substance use, race/ethnicity, help-seeking, and others. Experiencing criminal involvement stigma was linked to poor well-being, but less so for racial/ethnic minorities. Experiencing racial/ethnic stigma was associated with recidivism risk, and substance use stigma was associated with substance use risk. Several stigmas intersected to impact treatment engagement and well-being. In conclusion, individuals involved in the criminal legal system experience many stigmatized statuses that impact their well-being, treatment adherence, community integration, and criminal behavior. Stigma must be addressed among individuals involved in the criminal legal system and the systems they interact with to reduce health inequity and recidivism risk.

Relationship between self-stigma about alcohol dependence and severity of alcohol drinking and craving

BACKGROUND

The correlates and consequences of stigma surrounding alcohol use are complex. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is typically accompanied by self-stigma, due to numerous factors, such as shame, guilt and negative stereotypes. Few studies have empirically examined the possible association between self-stigma and alcohol-related outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between self-stigma about alcohol dependence and the severity of alcohol consumption and craving.

METHODS

In a sample of 64 participants, the majority of whom had a diagnosis of AUD (51), bivariate correlations were first conducted between Self-Stigma and Alcohol Dependence Scale (SSAD-Apply subscale) scores and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores, Alcohol Timeline Follow-Back, Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS) scores and Penn Alcohol Cravings Scale scores. Based on the results, regression analyses were conducted with SSAD scores as the predictor and AUDIT and OCDS scores as the outcomes.

FINDINGS

SSAD scores positively correlated with AUDIT scores, average drinks per drinking day, number of heavy drinking days and OCDS scores (p<0.001, p=0.014, p=0.011 and p<0.001, respectively). SSAD scores were also found to be a significant predictor of AUDIT and OCDS scores (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively), even after controlling for demographics.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher levels of self-stigma were associated with more severe AUD, greater alcohol consumption, and more obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours related to alcohol.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Our results suggest that potential interventions to reduce self-stigma may lead to improved quality of life and treatment outcomes for individuals with AUD.

Alcohol Prevention in Urgent and Emergency Care (APUEC): Development and Evaluation of Workforce Digital Training on Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral for Treatment

Excessive alcohol consumption carries a significant health, social and economic burden. Screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is one approach to identifying patients with excessive alcohol consumption and providing interventions to help them reduce their drinking. However, healthcare workers in urgent and emergency care settings do not routinely integrate SBIRT into clinical practice and raise a lack of training as a barrier to SBIRT delivery. Therefore, "Alcohol Prevention in Urgent and Emergency Care" (APUEC) training was developed, delivered, and evaluated. APUEC is a brief, stand-alone, multimedia, interactive digital training package for healthcare workers. The aim of APUEC is to increase positive attitudes, knowledge, confidence and skills related to SBIRT through the provision of (a) education on the impact of alcohol and the role of urgent and emergency care in alcohol prevention, and (b) practical guidance on patient assessment, delivery of brief advice and making referral decisions. Development involved collaborative-participatory design approaches and a rigorous six-step ASPIRE methodology (involving n = 28 contributors). APUEC was delivered to healthcare workers who completed an online survey (n = 18) and then participated in individual qualitative interviews (n = 15). Analysis of data was aligned with Levels 1-3 of the Kirkpatrick Model of Training Evaluation. Survey data showed that all participants (100%) found the training useful and would recommend it to others. Insights from the qualitative data showed that APUEC digital training increases healthcare workers' perceived knowledge, confidence and skills related to alcohol prevention in urgent and emergency care settings. Participants viewed APUEC to be engaging and relevant to urgent and emergency care workers. This digital training was perceived to be useful for workforce skills development and supporting the implementation of SBIRT in clinical practice. While the impact of APUEC on clinician behaviour and patient outcomes is yet to be tested, APUEC digital training could easily be embedded within education and continuing professional development programmes for healthcare workers and healthcare trainees of any discipline. Ultimately, this may facilitate the integration of SBIRT into routine care and contribute to population health improvement.

Internalized stigma and associated factors among people with mental illness at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest, Ethiopia, 2021

BACKGROUND

Internalized stigma has been found to be high among people with mental illness (PWMI) and it results in poor treatment outcome, increased disability and high economic burden. So, this study was designed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of high internalized stigma among PWMI attending psychiatric follow-up at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest, Ethiopia, 2021.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among PWMI (n = 365), and internalized stigma was measured by using internalized stigma of mental illness 29 (ISMI-29) scale. The data was entered in to EPI DATA software (4.6.0.2) and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. A binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with internalized stigma and reported with 95% confidence interval (CI). P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS

The prevalence of high internalized stigma was found to be 27.9% (95% CI 23.1-32.6). A male gender (AOR = 0.332; 95% CI 0.175-0.629), occupation, specifically government employee (AOR = 0.309; 95% CI 0.118-0.809), life time substance use (AOR = 3.561; 95% CI 1.867-6.793), low self-esteem (AOR = 8.313; 95% CI 3.641-18.977), and history of hospitalization (AOR = 4.236; 95% CI 1.875, 9.570) were factors significantly associated with higher internalized stigma.

CONCLUSION

The result of this study showed that there was an intermediate prevalence of high internalized stigma among PWMI at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. The hospital needs to take immediate action to fight internalized stigma by focusing on females, people with low self-esteem, individuals with history of lifetime substance use, and people who have history of hospital admission.

Researching Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy. Opportunities and Challenges With Two Methods of Data Acquisition

Qualitative research methods, primarily interviews, have become more common in the field of addiction research. Other data sources were often neglected, although sources such as social media can offer insights into the realities of people, since social media also plays a relevant role in today's living environments. This article examines the use of online forums as an underutilized data source in contrast to telephone interviews, to identify methodological opportunities and challenges. We analyzed nine discussion threads and seven interviews about 'alcohol consumption during pregnancy'. Discursive comparison of the results was performed with a focus on sampling issues, comparability and risks for participants and researchers. Key issues were present in both data sources. People with different opinions were openly hostile in forums, while tolerance was more often expressed in interviews. The interviews showed a rather mild communication style, which could be attributed to social desirability. In the forum discussions, the participants often expressed themselves very directly. To comprehensively grasp the subject matter of the research, it is important to recognize the types of communication promoted by different data sources. These results have implications for research about female substance use. Knowledge of the issues will bestow a valuable contribution to researchers working in the field of substance use to help develop appropriate research approaches, as they engage in research into this highly stigmatized and controversial area.

Relationship between psychological factors and perceived stigma of addiction among women with substance use disorders, Thailand

BACKGROUND

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are one of the most stigmatized health conditions that impact drug user's treatment engagement. However, to date, little is known about perceived stigma and its correlates with psychological factors among high-risk groups such as people with SUDs in the criminal justice system. This study aimed to determine the association of psychological factors and perceived stigma of addiction among women with SUDs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional design was conducted on 652 women with SUDs who were treated in all 7 compulsory drug detention centers in Thailand with consecutive sampling technique. The data were collected by standardized interviewers with interviewing questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression was applied to examine the effect of psychological factors and perceived stigma.

RESULTS

More than half of SUD patients (57.2%) were methamphetamine abuse or dependence, approximately 69.9% reported high level of perceived stigma, 56.7% had mild depression, 34.8% had low level of perceived social support, and the average perceived stress score was 19.2 (standard deviation, 7.5). The perceived stigma was positively related to depressive symptom and perceived stress while was inversely related to perceived social support.

CONCLUSION

The psychological factors were strongly associated with perceived stigma of addiction. Thus, the detection of psychological problems among SUD patients may be benefit clinicians for identifying which patients are most at risk of perceived stigma and are the potential targets of intervention to reduce stigma in clinical practice.

A scoping review of the integration of empowerment-based perspectives in quantitative intersectional stigma research

The genesis of the concept of intersectionality was a call to dismantle interlocking systems of oppression - racial, sexual, heterosexual, and class-based - in order to realise liberation of Black women and other women of colour. Intersectionality holds the radical potential to amplify collective efficacy, community solidarity, and liberation. The extension of intersectionality into stigma research has resulted in an increased focus on intersectional stigma in quantitative research. This raises questions regarding how the radical and liberatory potential of intersectionality is applied in stigma research. Specifically, empowerment-based perspectives may be overlooked in quantitative intersectional stigma research. We conducted a scoping review to document if and how empowerment-based perspectives were included in intersectional stigma quantitative studies. We identified and included 32 studies in this review that examined varied stigmas, most commonly related to race, gender, HIV and sexual orientation. In total 13/32 (40.6%) of these studies reported on empowerment-based factors; most of these examined social support and/or resilience. Taken together, findings suggest that the quantitative intersectional stigma research field would benefit from expansion of concepts studied to include activism and solidarity, as well as methodological approaches to identify the protective roles of empowerment-based factors to inform health and social justice-related programmes and policy.