Disclosure, Stigma, and Social Support Among Young People Receiving Treatment for Substance Use Disorders and Their Caregivers: A Qualitative Analysis

Overview

Journal Int J Ment Health Addict

Date 2020 Dec 14

PMID 33312084

Citations 19

Authors

Valerie A Earnshaw

Laura M Bogart

David Menino

John F Kelly

Stephenie R Chaudoir

Natalie Brousseau

Sharon Levy

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Relational processes (i.e., disclosure, stigma, social support) experienced by youth with substance use disorders (SUDs) and their caregivers may act as barriers to, or facilitators of, recovery but are understudied. Single-session qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 patients and 15 caregivers recruited by clinicians from a SUD program. There was variability in disclosure experiences, including how many people knew about patients' SUD diagnosis and treatment, whether patients or caregivers primarily disclosed to others, and feelings about others knowing about one's or one's child's SUD treatment. After disclosing, patients and caregivers experienced stigmatizing (e.g., social rejection) and supportive (e.g., understanding, advice) reactions from others. Disclosures may have important implications for relationship and recovery-related outcomes. Moreover, some child-caregiver pairs have significant disagreements regarding disclosure of SUD treatment. Addressing relational processes within treatment by encouraging patients and caregivers to share the disclosure decision-making process may support the recovery of youth with SUDs.

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