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Self-stigma in military personnel with alcohol dependence: comparison with a civilian sample before qualified withdrawal treatment

Self-stigma in military personnel with alcohol dependence: comparison with a civilian sample... PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight the differences in self-stigma between a military and a civilian sample in order to infer military-specific aspects of the stigmatization process.Design/methodology/approachBefore undergoing a three-week course of qualified withdrawal treatment, 55 German military personnel were examined in terms of self-stigma, abstinence self-efficacy, duration of alcohol abuse, severity of alcohol dependence, and current mental disorders. Afterwards, the participants were compared with a non-military sample of 173 subjects with alcohol dependence in a civilian psychiatric clinic that had not yet undergone qualified withdrawal treatment.FindingsWhile awareness of stigmatization is significantly greater among military personnel than in the civilian comparison group (t(171)=3.83, p<0.01), there is far less agreement with such stigmatization (t(170)=−3.20, p<0.01). More severe mental disorders and low abstinence self-efficacy have a significant influence on self-esteem decrement for the entire group.Research limitations/implicationsBoth samples only consisted of male participants who wanted to receive treatment.Originality/valueSince most studies refer to civilian patients, a comparative study of the influence of stigmatization of alcohol use disorders in the armed forces is of particular interest. The study indicates that military personnel are more aware of stigmatization by colleagues and superiors than is the case among civilian patients. This could be a significant obstacle when it comes to seeking professional help. Prevention programs need to give greater priority to this subject. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Drugs and Alcohol Today Emerald Publishing

Self-stigma in military personnel with alcohol dependence: comparison with a civilian sample before qualified withdrawal treatment

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References (38)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © Emerald Group Publishing Limited
ISSN
1745-9265
DOI
10.1108/DAT-08-2016-0022
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight the differences in self-stigma between a military and a civilian sample in order to infer military-specific aspects of the stigmatization process.Design/methodology/approachBefore undergoing a three-week course of qualified withdrawal treatment, 55 German military personnel were examined in terms of self-stigma, abstinence self-efficacy, duration of alcohol abuse, severity of alcohol dependence, and current mental disorders. Afterwards, the participants were compared with a non-military sample of 173 subjects with alcohol dependence in a civilian psychiatric clinic that had not yet undergone qualified withdrawal treatment.FindingsWhile awareness of stigmatization is significantly greater among military personnel than in the civilian comparison group (t(171)=3.83, p<0.01), there is far less agreement with such stigmatization (t(170)=−3.20, p<0.01). More severe mental disorders and low abstinence self-efficacy have a significant influence on self-esteem decrement for the entire group.Research limitations/implicationsBoth samples only consisted of male participants who wanted to receive treatment.Originality/valueSince most studies refer to civilian patients, a comparative study of the influence of stigmatization of alcohol use disorders in the armed forces is of particular interest. The study indicates that military personnel are more aware of stigmatization by colleagues and superiors than is the case among civilian patients. This could be a significant obstacle when it comes to seeking professional help. Prevention programs need to give greater priority to this subject.

Journal

Drugs and Alcohol TodayEmerald Publishing

Published: Mar 6, 2017

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