Substance Abuse Scale Research Articles

PERCEIVED STIGMA, BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEM AND DEPRESSION AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE ATTENDING SELECTED DE-ADDICTION CENTRES, KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL

Substance abuse is a considerable public health problem throughout the world with vast implication on public health. Its real impact is on the social and family dynamics that underlie its communities.Aim: This study aims to assess Perceived stigma, behavioural problem and depression among individuals with substance abuse attending selected de-addiction centers, Kolkata, West Bengal.Methods: A Descriptive survey design was adopted and 200 individuals with substance abuse were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using semi structured demographic Proforma, standardized perceived stigma of substance abuse scale (PSAS), standardized behavioural problem scale (BPS) and Beck’s depression Inventry.Result: The findings revealed that majority 81% individual with substance abuse had moderate perceived stigma whereas 18% had high perceived stigma and 1 % had low perceived stigma and (85% ) individuals with substance abuse were mild behavioural problem and (15%) in individuals with substance abuse were moderate behavioural problem and (41.5% ) individuals had moderate depression , ( 28% ) had borderline clinical depression , (27.5%) had mild mood disturbance ,(3%) had these ups and downs were considered normal. Result showed that there was significant association between level of depression with Regularity of treatment, life style practices with monthly family income and educational status of participants.Conclusion: The current study concludes that perceived stigma, behavioural problems and depression among individuals with substance abuse is effective to motivational prevention in the field of psychiatry nursing.

Analyzing the Relationship Between Self-Efficacy in Protecting Against Substance Use and Loneliness in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

To analyze the relationship between self-efficacy in protecting against substance use and loneliness in adolescents. This descriptive, cross-sectional study comprised 400 adolescents. A Sociodemographic Data Form, Self-Efficacy for Adolescents Protecting Against Substance Abuse Scale (SEAPSAS), and Short-Form UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-8) were used for data collection. Regression analysis and Pearson correlation analysis, as well as descriptive statistics, were used in data analysis. Mean ULS-8 total score was 17.94 (SD = 5.07) and mean SEAPSAS total score was 68.78 (SD = 17.59). A weak significant negative relationship was found between mean ULS-8 total score and mean SEAPSAS subdimensions and total score. As a result of regression analysis, it was determined that ULS-8 total score negatively affected mean SEAPSAS total score by 24.9% (R2 = 0.249; B = -1.713; p < 0.001). Loneliness in adolescents, which was observed to negatively impact self-efficacy in protecting against substance use, should be addressed by psychiatric nurses through prevention activities and support programs and services, such as early detection and intervention. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(9), 29-36.].

Prevalence of Substance Abuse Among University Undergraduates

The study investigated how many university students in private, state, and federal institutions abuse chemical substances. It also compared the three types of institution to know where abuse of substances is more prevalent. The population for the study were all university undergraduates from Ekiti State. The sample is made up of 450 respondents’ selected using simple randomization and purposive sampling technique with 115 participants from private institutions, 165 from state owned institutions and 170 participants from federal institutions. A Google Form questionnaire tagged Prevalence of Substance Abuse Scale (PSAS) was created, validated and used for data collection. Results; No significant difference could be determined in terms of gender on the prevalence of substance abuse among undergraduate students (F(1, 448) = 0.581, p &amp;lt;.05). A significant difference was detected in terms of age (F (3, 447) = 0.088, p &amp;lt; .05). It revealed a non-significant effect on the prevalence of substance abuse among undergraduates across different universities (private, state, and federal) (F(2, 447) = 0.084, p &amp;lt; 0.05). It was suggested that universities should have an active counselling centre with trained counsellors to help people who struggle with substance abuse. Counsellors should work with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to hold events like awareness campaigns, seminars, and workshops to enlighten students about the negative effects of substance abuse.

Nurse Practitioner Student Education: A Pre–Post Survey Study of Substance Use Disorder Competency

IntroductionSubstance use disorder (SUD) treatment is underutilized due to perceptions of stigmatizing behavior, thus leading to health inequity. AimTo determine the effectiveness of focused nurse practitioner (NP) SUD treatment education on preparedness, competence, and perceived stigma. MethodsFocused SUD education modules were provided to NP students. Pre–post surveys were obtained. Stigma was assessed using the Perceived Stigma of Substance Abuse Scale (PSAS). ResultsThe students unanimously reported an improved level of perceived competence in caring for patients with SUD. DiscussionIncreased perceived competence in ability to treat will improve overall care and increase equity in treatment for patients with SUD.

Parenting Styles as a Predictor of Substance Abuse among Undergraduates in Public Universities in Kwara State

The study aimed at viewing Parenting Styles as a predictor of substance abuse among undergraduates in Nigeria and also determined the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Descriptive research design of correlational type was used for this study. A sampling procedure was employed to select 216 respondents and a questionnaire consisting of two sub-scales namely; Substance Abuse Scale (SAS) and Parenting Practices Questionnaire (PPQ) were adapted as the research tool for the collection of data. Frequency counts, percentage and charts were used to describe demographic data of sampled respondents while the research hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance with the use of Pearson Product Moment Coefficient (PPMC). The findings showed that majority of undergraduates in public universities in Kwara State were affected by the authoritarian parenting style which instigated most of them to become substance addicts. Suggestions and recommendations were made to parents, counselors, lecturers, University management, government and religious groups among which is the organisation of self-awareness skills training by the counsellors and excursion exercise to rehab centers by the management as well as provision of spiritual counseling by the religious groups. Suggestions were made to further this study for wider scope and efficient results in the society.

Assessing self-stigma levels and associated factors among substance use disorder patients at two selected psychiatric hospitals in Egypt: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundSubstance use disorder is a growing problem worldwide, and the stigma associated with it remains a significant barrier to treatment and recovery. This study aimed to assess the perceived stigma among individuals with substance use disorders and its correlation with their socio-demographic characteristics and clinical history Parameters.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 552 patients with substance use disorders admitted to the outpatient clinics of Mansoura University Hospital, Addiction Treatment Unit of the Psychiatry Department, and Port Said Mental Hospital, Addiction Department. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire, which included demographic information, clinical history parameters, and the Perceived Stigma of Substance Abuse Scale (PSAS).ResultsThe study found that almost half of the participants were aged 29 or younger, married, and had a median stigma score of 20. The vast majority of participants were male, had no previous legal problems, and had a median stigma score of 19. The most common type of substance used was opioids, and more than half of the participants were still using drugs. The highest mean stigma scores were for the items “Most people think less of a person who has been in treatment for substance use” and “Most employers will pass over the application of someone who has been treated for substance use in favor of another applicant.“ The perceived stigma score was significantly correlated with the severity of use but not with age or duration of use.ConclusionOur study investigates self-stigma in substance use disorder (SUD), revealing its variance across demographics and clinical groups. We found that self-stigma correlates with use severity and possibly decreases with abstinence. Notably, societal bias contributes significantly to self-stigma, necessitating societal interventions. The impact of self-stigma on patient well-being highlights the need for personalized treatments and stigma reduction strategies.

The use of MMPI-3 scales to assess personality-based vulnerabilities for alcohol use and problems.

Impulsivity and excitement seeking are distinctly associated with alcohol use and related problems in emerging adulthood. Specifically, impulsivity is associated with alcohol problems, while excitement seeking is associated with quantity and frequency of alcohol use (Finn, 2002; Gunn et al., 2013). Given how critical these traits are to alcohol use disorder, such that they play central roles in prominent theories such as Finn's (2002) cognitive motivational theory (CMT), we examined how impulsivity, excitement seeking, and related constructs were captured by an instrument used in clinical practice, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3; Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2020a, 2020b). In a sample of 401 college students, we investigated MMPI-3 scales representing the CMT constructs-impulsivity/novelty seeking, excitement seeking, and low harm avoidance-by examining correlations between MMPI-3 Specific Problem scales and theoretically relevant criterion measures. Then, we used these scales to predict alcohol-related outcomes. Impulsivity (IMP), Social Avoidance (SAV), and Anxiety-Related Experiences (ARX) scales captured the core CMT constructs that are said to reflect personality-based vulnerabilities to alcohol-related problems. Further, Impulsivity and Social Avoidance scales incremented the Substance Abuse (SUB) scale in predicting risky drinking outcomes (alcohol problems and quantity and frequency of use). Overall, results support the use of select MMPI-3 scales in providing a nuanced assessment of personality-based vulnerabilities in college-aged drinkers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The utility of the MMPI-3 in predicting substance use related problems in a clinical neuropsychology sample

Assessing for problematic substance use in neuropsychological assessments is crucial for differential diagnosis and attribution of symptom causes. The current investigation examines the utility of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3 in predicting such substance use in a clinical neuropsychology sample. Participants included 208 outpatient neuropsychological examinees. Correlations and risk ratios were calculated for externalizing-psychopathology-related scales and external substance use criteria. Hierarchical regressions examined the incremental prediction of criteria by MMPI-3 externalizing scales above the Substance Abuse (SUB) scale. Results indicate that MMPI-3 externalizing scales are associated with substance-use-related criteria as conceptually expected. Additionally, we report significantly increased risk of experiencing substance-use-related problems at various T score elevations on multiple externalizing scales. Finally, SUB served as the primary predictor of substance-use-related criteria. These findings support the ability of the MMPI-3 to assess for past or current substance use and negative consequences of substance use in a clinical neuropsychology setting.

Assessment of Social Media Exposure and Substance Abuse among Adolescent Secondary School Students in Delta State, Nigeria

This study explored the relationship between social media exposure and substance abuse among adolescent secondary school students in Delta State, Nigeria. Two (2) research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted correlational method of ex-post facto research design. The target population of this study comprises of all public secondary school (2) students in the 25 local government areas of Delta State with a sample size of 500 students from the three Senatorial District in Delta State. This sample represents 10% of the population, drawn through the multi-stage procedure and stratified random sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection was an adopted questionnaire, which include social media scale (SMS) developed by Osharive (2015) and Drug abuse scale (DAS) developed by Aleke (2013). The instrument had a reliability coefficient of .78 and .69 for social media scale and drug abuse scale respectively. Correlation was used to answer research questions while the two hypotheses were tested using regression model statistics at .05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between social media and substance abuse among adolescent students, and also school type has a significant moderating impact in the relationship between social media and substance abuse among adolescent’s students in secondary schools in Delta State. Based on the findings, it was concluded that social media correlated with substance abuse among adolescent’s secondary school students; while it was recommended that parents, educators and members of the community should monitor and guide the students on appropriate use of social media in order to reduce its effect on substance abuse by adolescent students.

Does Ego Identity Process Have a Predictive Role in Drug Abstinence?

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive effect of ego identity process on self-efficacy for abstinence from substance abuse.&#x0D; Method: The research that is descriptive and correlational was conducted with 415 young individuals between the dates 01.07.2021 and 30.01.2022. Socio-demographic characteristics information form, Ego Identity Process Questionnaire (EIPQ) and Self-Efficacy for Protecting Adolescences from Substance Abuse Scale (SEAPSAS) were applied in this study.&#x0D; Results: The general mean score of the youth sub-dimension of abstinence from substances/stimulants in the SEAPSAS scale was 54.13±11.05, and the total mean score of the EIPQ was 124.86±15.84. A moderate positive correlation was identified between the total scores of the EIPQ and SEAPSAS scales. Although the detected correlation coefficient was significant, EIPQ's interpretation of SEAPSAS was at a low level (R2=.135). According to participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, the scores obtained from the SEAPSAS were low in males, those with a bachelor's or higher education degree, those living in a dormitory or alone, those with six or more siblings, those with fragmented families, those who smoke, and in those who are children of working mothers. EIPQ stability sub-dimension score of the participants who live in the county is higher than those who live in the province. &#x0D; Conclusion: In line with the results of the study, it is recommended to organize programs that will develop the young's ego identity process and self-efficacy for abstinence from substance abuse. It is expected that these programs will contribute to the prevention of substance addiction.

Perceived Stigma among Injecting Drug Users: New Evidence from an Observational Study in an Opioid Substitution Therapy Centre of Kolkata, India

Introduction: Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) are one of the highrisk groups for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) is a targeted intervention for IDUs. Substance abuse, coupled with the risk of contracting HIV, makes them feel stigmatised. There can be little doubt that IDUs face discrimination and stigma in various forms, which could be a potential barrier for them to seek professional help. Aim: To estimate the magnitude of stigma perceived by IDUs and to identify the associated factors. Materials and Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted on IDUs attending the OST centre of Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India from April 2016 to March 2018. A total of 168 IDUs were recruited using the census method. The Perceived Stigma of Substance Abuse Scale (PSAS) was used to determine the perceived stigma faced by the study subjects. Factors such as living arrangements, finances for addiction, level of education, emotional attachment, and religiosity were chosen as the predictor variables. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. Logistic regression was employed to examine the associated factors with perceived stigma. The Odds Ratio (OR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was computed, and a p-value &lt;0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 168, 107 (64%) IDUs reported perceived stigma above the mean value of PSAS. A significant association between perceived stigma and immoral means of finance for addiction (AOR [CI] 4.056 [1.617-10.174]), presence of emotional attachment with any of the family members (AOR [CI] 5.652 [2.588-11.9]), and lack of religiosity (AOR [CI] 5.685 [2.588-12.489]) was observed. Conclusion: There was an alarmingly high proportion of IDUs with perceived stigma. Immoral means of finance for addiction, lack of religiosity, and emotional attachment to family were associated with higher perceived stigma. Hence, appropriate emphasis should be given to information, education, and communication activities to address perceived stigma among IDUs in order to improve treatment adherence to OST among them. Moreover, there is a need for stigma reduction interventions in the larger community. Further research should explore the dynamics between perceived stigma and other predictor variables.

Explaining the structural model of desire for treatment based on addiction memory, the desire to use with the mediation of self-control in people seeking to quit

Background and Aim: Addiction means acquiring a habit and getting used to it, and it happens in such a way that quitting and giving up causes disruption in the overall functioning of the person, which is accompanied by physical, mental and behavioral discomfort. The present study was conducted with the aim of explaining the model of desire for addiction treatment based on the memory of addiction and the desire to use with the mediation of self-control in substance dependent people seeking to quit. Methods: The current research method was a correlational and predictive description. The statistical population of this study included substance dependent people who referred to addiction treatment clinics in Babol city in a period of four months. 209 participants were selected as a sample using a purposive sampling method and answered the questions of Chen et al.'s addiction memory intensity scale (2018), Tangney et al.'s (2004) self-control scale, stages of readiness for change and enthusiasm for change. Miller and Tonigan (1997) Addiction Treatment and Somoza et al. (1995) substance abuse scale responded. Data analysis was done using structural equation modeling method and LISREL software. Results: The results showed that the memory of addiction has a direct role in the desire for treatment (p&lt;0.01, β=0.31); Addiction memory has a direct role in self-control (p&lt;0.01, β=0.59); The desire to use has a direct role in the desire for treatment (p&lt;0.01, β=0.39); Desire to use has a direct role in self-control (p&lt;0.01, β=0.73); Self-control has a direct role in desire for treatment (p&lt;0.01, β=0.79); Addiction memory plays an indirect role in desire for treatment with self-control mediation (p&lt;0.01, β=0.47) and the desire to use has an indirect role in desire for treatment with self-control mediation (p&lt;0.01, β=0.58). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the model of desire for addiction treatment based on the memory of addiction and the desire to use with the mediation of self-control is suitable for drug addicts seeking to quit.

Impact of Behavioral and Psychosocial Factors on Relapse among Persons with Substance Use Disorder

The present study was conducted to explore the impact of behavioral factors on relapse among drug addicts and moderating role of psychological factors. The study was carried out on male drug addicts from different cities in Punjab. The sample was comprised of (N = 200) male drug addicts. The sample was selected by using purposive sampling. The General Health Questionnaire, Patient Depression Questionnaire PHQ-9, Drug Abuse Screening Test-10, Perceived Stigma of Substance Abuse Scale, Adaptability, Partnership, Growth, Affection and Resolve, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test and The Advance Warning of Relapse Questionnaire were used in the current study. Alpha coefficients and correlation matrix for all variables were computed. Moderation analysis further revealed that perceived stigma significantly moderated the relationship between drug and alcohol abuse severity and warning of relapse. The family function also moderated the relationship between drug and alcohol abuse severity and the sign of degeneration. It was found that Perceived stigma significantly moderated the relationship between alcohol and drug abuse severity and warning of relapse.

Do Social Support, Self-Efficacy, Emotional Quality of Life, and Sociodemographic Factors Associate With Substance Use?: Findings From Health Professional Students in North of Turkey.

Substance use among university students is a common problem in the world. However, there are insufficient data on its prevalence among health school students. Similarly, there are very few studies about the use of substances by health students in Turkey. These studies have been mostly limited to the use of alcohol and tobacco. To the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have examined the substance use among students studying at health-related departments. This study investigated the pattern of substance abuse and its relationship with social support, self-efficacy, emotional quality of life, and sociodemographic factors in health profession students. Data of the cross-sectional and correlational study were collected via WhatsApp. Participants completed a student information form, the Substance Abuse Proclivity Scale, the Drug Abuse Screening Test, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the SF-36 Emotional Quality of Life Index, and the Self-Efficacy for Protecting from Substance Abuse Scale. Of the participants, 63.6% (n = 823) had a high proclivity for substance abuse. Students most frequently used cigarettes and cannabis, one of the narcotic drugs. Substance abuse and proclivity increased as the emotional quality of life, social support, and self-efficacy decreased (p < .05). Substance abuse proclivity and drug use were higher in men, immigrants, smokers and alcohol users, those with a trauma history, and those separated from their family (p < .05). Health education reduces substance use (p < .05). It is required to make attempts to prevent and eliminate substance abuse in health profession students.

The Role of Anhedonia and Low Arousal in Substance Use Disorder Among Adolescents With Conduct Disorder Symptoms

Objective: During adolescence, transformations in the neural circuitry of the brain’s reward system can lead to vulnerabilities that pave the way for involvement in criminal and addictive behaviors. Some mental disorders (e.g., conduct disorder) are more comorbid with substance use disorders because of their unique nature.This study examines the role of anhedonia and low arousal in substance use disorders among adolescents with conduct disorder symptoms. Methods: The present correlational study was conducted in 2021 in Tabriz City, Iran. The participants were 784 adolescents with Conduct Disorder (CD) aging from 13 to 17 years at Juvenile Detention Centers (JDC). After the attrition, 436 adolescents remained. We used convenience sampling for the sampling method. In addition, we utilized the substance abuse scale, the conduct disorder rating scale, the self-assessment anhedonia scale, and the how I feel scale to collect the data. After the ethical approval and signed informed consent, the questionnaires were distributed among participants. After collecting the questionnaires, we entered the data into the SPSS software, version 23, for analysis. Results: The Addiction Potential Scale (APS) had a significant and direct correlation with physical anhedonia (r=0.226, P&lt;0.01), intellectual anhedonia (r=0.221, P&lt;0.01), social anhedonia (r=0.236, P&lt;0.01), and negative emotion (r=0.211, P&lt;0.01). Substance use increases with an increase in anhedonia. On the other hand, APS had a significant and reversal correlation with positive emotion (r=-0.173, P&lt;0.05), and positive and negative emotion control (r=-0.197, P&lt;0.01), i.e., less positive emotion and weak control of positive and negative emotions lead to substance use disorder among adolescents with conduct disorder. Conclusion: Impulsive behaviors (e.g., substance use disorder) respond to low arousal and anhedonia among adolescents with conduct disorder symptoms to relieve their negative emotions and strengthen their low arousal.

Validation of the Substance Abuse Scale of the Personal and Relationships Profile

Abstract There have been limited measurement studies of the substance abuse scale of the Personal and Relationships Profile (PRP) and the impact of social desirability on alcohol and drug use reporting. This study aimed to (a) model the factor structure of the eight-item substance abuse scale of the PRP and (b) examine the relationship of substance use factors with sociodemographic variables—race, income, age, marital status—and social desirability on substance use reporting among a sample of low-income fathers. The study included secondary data analysis of 665 fathers, who participated in a fatherhood program between 2011 and 2015. The two-factor model with the addition of two error covariances exhibited acceptable fit to the data. Sociodemographic characteristics were significantly associated with alcohol and drug use among the sample with social desirability being the strongest predictor of lower alcohol and drug use reporting. Findings suggest that alcohol and drugs are distinct constructs that should be assessed separately, despite being correlated. In social work practice and research, the influence of social desirability in reporting should be accounted for when assessing substance use.

A-162 Neuropsychiatric Elevations in Epilepsy Patients with and without Severe Memory Impairment

Abstract Objective Severe memory impairment in epilepsy is associated with increased difficulties in daily living that extend beyond the limitations of having seizure disorder and create greater emotional burden. Accordingly, the current study explored psychopathological differences between epilepsy patients with and without severe memory impairment. Method This retrospective chart review study included 78 adults with epilepsy who underwentneuropsychological testing in a hospital setting. Most participants (78%) had temporallobe epilepsy. Study measures included Word Memory Test (WMT), cognitive measures, and self-report Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF). Genuine Memory Impairment Profile (GMIP) on the WMT was used as an indicator of severe memorydeficit. Results GMIP group had 30 participants and significantly higher number of males (Χ 2 (1) = 4.929, p = 0.03). Significantly lower performances in overall cognitive functioning and memory functioning were seenin the GMIP group. As expected, the GMIP group had increased mean scores across on all MMPI-2-RF higher order scales and majority of Specific Problem Scales, however only Substance Abuse Scale showed a statistically significant difference (t(76) = −1.96, p = 0.05). Conclusions Those with severe memory impairment showed a non-significant tendency to obtain higher scoreson most indices of psychopathology and a significantly higher elevation concerning substance abuseproblems. Those with severe memory decline may have increased risk for substance abuse problemsthat can be associated with reduced treatment effectiveness and provoke seizures due to either acuteneurotoxicity or withdrawal. Additional studies with larger samples are needed to characterizesubstance abuse problems in epilepsy patients with severe memory decline.

The effects of screening brief intervention referral to treatment (SBIRT) training on health professional trainees’ regard, attitudes, and beliefs toward patients who use substances

Background: Screening Brief Intervention Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) was developed as an integrated and comprehensive public health approach that includes early screening and intervention to address substance use in a variety of health care settings. Research suggests that SBIRT is effective in reducing substance use in individuals whose use places them at higher risk for negative health and social consequences. However, less is known about how training in SBIRT modifies attitudes, regard, and beliefs toward people who use substances. Methods: Participants included 461 students from a variety of healthcare related disciplines (physician assistant, nurse practitioner, pharmacy, psychiatry and psychology, and medical students). Participants were evaluated using a pre-post design to assess changes in regard, attitudes, and beliefs by completing the Short Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire, the Drug Problem Perception Questionnaire, the Medical Condition Regard Scale, and the Short Understanding of Substance Abuse Scale before and after a 7-hour SBIRT training program. We hypothesized that trainees would have more positive regard, attitudes, and beliefs toward people who use substances following training in SBIRT relative to a baseline assessment and that there would be between program differences. Results: Results were consistent with hypotheses and suggested that trainees had significantly more positive regard and changes in attitudes and beliefs toward working with patients who use substances following training in SBIRT. Results also suggested significant differences by training group at baseline and at 30-day follow up. Conclusions: Overall, the findings suggest that an important additional benefit of SBIRT is the impact it has on mitigating healthcare professional trainees’ negative regard and modifying attitudes and beliefs toward those who use substances.

Building Therapeutic Commitment in University Nursing Students.

Nurses report feeling unprepared to care for people with a substance use disorder (SUD). The purpose was to determine whether targeted antistigma interventions improved nursing students' attitudes and perceived stigma toward people with SUD. This was a quasi-experimental, repeated-measures survey study. Participants completed the 20-item Drug and Drug Problems Questionnaire (DDPPQ) and the 8-item Perceived Stigma of Substance Abuse Scale (PSAS) at baseline and postintervention in their first clinical semester. Booster sessions were held for 2 additional clinical semesters after the initial intervention in the first clinical semester. The DDPPQ and PSAS were completed at the end of each semester for 3 semesters of the nursing program. After the educational interventions, there was a significant improvement in overall therapeutic attitudes except for 1 sub-scale, role-related self-esteem. Antistigma interventions led to a decrease in stigma and improved overall therapeutic attitudes toward people with SUD.

The Internalized Stigma of Substance Abuse Scale for Caregivers: Measuring Substance Use Stigma Experienced by Caregivers

ABSTRACT Caregivers of young adult children with substance use disorders (SUDs) experience caregiving burden because of the strains and tensions associated with the role. Exposure to stigmatizing attitudes through social experiences can lead to the internalization of these negative beliefs about the self and others. In the case of caregivers providing support to loved ones with SUDs, further inquiry is warranted to better understand the synergistic impacts of the stresses and strains associated with providing care and the stigma associated with that care. Further research is needed to investigate how internalized stigma for caregivers of substance using loved ones is assessed and measured so that it can be tested. The present study presents an adaptation of the Internalized Stigma of Substance Abuse Scale (ISSA) for use with caregivers and describes the resulting psychometric properties of the revised measure. Results support an adapted measure specifically for caregivers, called the Internalized Stigma of Substance Abuse Scale for Caregivers (ISSA-C), and suggest that the scale is unidimensional and shows preliminary indications of construct validity and internal consistency.