The Impact of Indigenous Identity and Treatment Seeking Intention on the Stigmatization of Substance Use

Abstract

Substance use disorders are one of the most stigmatized mental health issues. There is a disproportionate burden of substance use disorders (SUDs) and related harms on Indigenous peoples in Canada. The current study examined the public stigma associated with substance use and how that stigma intersects with Indigenous identity and treatment seeking intention. Participants (N = 711) were randomly assigned to read one of four vignettes depicting a person living with a SUD and then complete an online survey. Vignettes differed on the character’s ethnicity (Caucasian vs. First Nations) and their treatment seeking intention (seeking treatment vs. not seeking treatment). Participants then completed a series of questionnaires to assess stigma, including measures of perceived unpredictability and incompetence, desired social distance, and emotional response. Significant main effects of both ethnicity and treatment seeking were found on all three outcome measures of stigma. Specifically, participants assigned a vignette depicting a First Nations person responded with more stigmatizing attitudes than participants assigned a vignette of a Caucasian person. Additionally, participants assigned a vignette of a person not seeking treatment responded with more stigmatizing attitudes than participants assigned a vignette of a person who sought treatment. These findings highlight the need for future anti-stigma interventions and educational programming for substance use in general and within an Indigenous context. Furthermore, documenting and addressing prejudice towards Indigenous populations is a crucial step in working towards reconciliation.