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Attitudes towards Alcohol Dependence and Affected Individuals: Persistence of Negative Stereotypes and Illness Beliefs between 1990 and 2011

Attitudes towards Alcohol Dependence and Affected Individuals: Persistence of Negative... Background: Alcohol dependence is among the most severely stigmatized mental disorders. We examine whether negative stereotypes and illness beliefs related to alcohol dependence have changed between 1990 and 2011. Methods: We used data from two population surveys with identical methodology that were conducted among German citizens aged ≥18 years, living in the ‘old' German states. They were conducted in 1990 and 2011, respectively. In random subsamples (1990: n = 1,022, and 2011: n = 1,167), identical questions elicited agreement with statements regarding alcohol dependence, particularly with regard to the illness definition of alcohol dependence and blame. Results: Overall, agreement with negative stereotypes did not change in the course of 2 decades. About 55% of the respondents agreed that alcohol dependence is an illness like any other, >40% stated that it was a weakness of character and 30% endorsed that those affected are themselves to blame for their problems. Conclusions: It is apparent that promoting an illness concept of alcohol dependence has not been an easy solution to the problem of stigma. We discuss how the normative functions of alcohol dependence stigma might have prevented a reduction of negative stereotypes. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png European Addiction Research Karger

Attitudes towards Alcohol Dependence and Affected Individuals: Persistence of Negative Stereotypes and Illness Beliefs between 1990 and 2011

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References (36)

Publisher
Karger
Copyright
© 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
ISSN
1022-6877
eISSN
1421-9891
DOI
10.1159/000362407
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Background: Alcohol dependence is among the most severely stigmatized mental disorders. We examine whether negative stereotypes and illness beliefs related to alcohol dependence have changed between 1990 and 2011. Methods: We used data from two population surveys with identical methodology that were conducted among German citizens aged ≥18 years, living in the ‘old' German states. They were conducted in 1990 and 2011, respectively. In random subsamples (1990: n = 1,022, and 2011: n = 1,167), identical questions elicited agreement with statements regarding alcohol dependence, particularly with regard to the illness definition of alcohol dependence and blame. Results: Overall, agreement with negative stereotypes did not change in the course of 2 decades. About 55% of the respondents agreed that alcohol dependence is an illness like any other, >40% stated that it was a weakness of character and 30% endorsed that those affected are themselves to blame for their problems. Conclusions: It is apparent that promoting an illness concept of alcohol dependence has not been an easy solution to the problem of stigma. We discuss how the normative functions of alcohol dependence stigma might have prevented a reduction of negative stereotypes.

Journal

European Addiction Research – Karger

Published: Jan 1, 2014

Keywords: Attitudes; Alcohol dependence; Stereotypes; Time trend study

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