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Stigmatization of people with alcohol use disorders: An updated systematic review of population studies
Author(s) -
Kilian Carolin,
Manthey Jakob,
Carr Sinclair,
Hanschmidt Franz,
Rehm Jürgen,
Speerforck Sven,
Schomerus Georg
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/acer.14598
Subject(s) - psycinfo , stigma (botany) , alcohol use disorder , psychiatry , medline , mental health , population , public health , social stigma , systematic review , substance use , medicine , psychology , clinical psychology , family medicine , environmental health , alcohol , biochemistry , chemistry , nursing , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , political science , law
Abstract Background We summarize research on the public stigmatization of persons with alcohol use disorder (AUD) in comparison with other mental health conditions and embed the results into a conceptual framework of the stigma process. Methods We conducted a systematic search using Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed and PsycINFO (via Ovid), and Web of Science for population‐based studies on the public stigma in AUD and at least 1 other mental health condition, published between October 1, 2010 and December 20, 2020, thus including all studies published since the last systematic review on this topic. The study is registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42020173054). Results We identified 20,561 records, of which 24 met the inclusion criteria, reporting results from 16 unique studies conducted in 9 different countries. Compared to substance‐unrelated mental disorders, persons with AUD were generally less likely to be considered mentally ill, while they were perceived as being more dangerous and responsible for their condition. Further, the public desire for social distance was consistently higher for people with AUD. We found no consistent differences in the public stigma toward persons with AUD in comparison with other substance use disorders. Conclusion The stigmatization of persons with AUD remains comparatively high and is distinct from that of other substance‐unrelated disorders.