Supervisors info:
Παπαρρηγόπουλος Θωμάς, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ, Επιβλέπων
Αναγνωστόπουλος Δημήτριος, Ομότιμος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Τριανταφύλλου Καλλιόπη, Επιστημονική Συνεργάτις, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Introduction: The intense stigma experienced by individuals with substance use issues is often internalized. The internalization of stigma has been linked to numerous psychosocial consequences. In contrast, adequate support from the social environment appears to positively affect overall mental health and quality of life, as well as combat stigma and its negative effects on individuals with a history of substance use.
Objective: This research aims to investigate the relationship between internalized stigma and social support with emotional difficulties (depression, anxiety, stress) and self-esteem among individuals in a rehabilitation program for substance dependence. Additionally, it seeks to examine whether social support acts as a mediating factor, linking lower levels of internalized stigma with improved emotional health.
Method: The study involved 57 individuals (52 men) from the «18ANΩ» Detoxification Unit (Psychiatric Hospital of Athens), with an average age of 38 years (SD=8.6 years). Participants completed five self-report questionnaires: Demographic and Social Characteristics Questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, Self-Esteem Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Internalized Stigma of Substance Use Scale, in paper format at the facility.
Results: Higher levels of internalized stigma were associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Specifically, the dimension of alienation positively correlated with the overall scale of depression, anxiety, and stress (rho=0.31, p<0.018), while social withdrawal correlated with depression (rho=0.30, p<0.025). Additionally, internalized stigma was significantly and negatively correlated with self-esteem, with the strongest correlation found in the dimension of social withdrawal (rho=-0.54, p<0.001). On the other hand, the perceived social support scale was significantly and negatively correlated with internalized stigma, particularly between the dimension of social withdrawal and all aspects of support (family, friends, significant other), as well as the overall social support scale (rho=-0.44, p<0.001). Moreover, greater support from friends was linked to greater resistance to stigma (rho=-0.38, p<0.003). Social support was also significantly and positively correlated with self-esteem across all dimensions and overall (rho=0.48, p<0.001). The social support scale did not significantly correlate with the depression, anxiety, and stress scale, thus ruling out the possibility of mediation. Finally, multivariate linear regression indicated that higher self-esteem was associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress (p<0.001).
Conclusions: This paper enriches the current literature and mobilizes the design of interventions aimed at reducing internalized stigma, enhancing social connection and self-image, which will contribute to improved mental health for individuals undergoing treatment
Keywords:
Internalized stigma, Social support, Self-esteem, Emotional difficulties, Detoxification
