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Influence Of Personal Growth Initiative And Public Self-consciousness On Perceived Stigmatization Among Drug Users
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Stigma is a
major challenge for those who have an addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Stigmas are imposed by society, communities, friends and family members
and can cause major discrimination and hurt (Corrigan, Kuwabara & O’
Shaughnessy, 2009). For people who use drugs, or are recovering from
problematic drug use, stigma can be a barrier to a wide range of
opportunities and rights. People who are stigmatized for their drug
involvement face difficulties enduring social rejection, labeling,
stereotyping and discrimination, even in the absence of any negative
consequences associated with their drug use. This manifests in a variety
of ways, including denial of employment or housing. People with
substance misuse issues are less likely to be offered help than people
with a mental illness or physical disability. There is an extensive body
of literature documenting the stigma associated with alcohol and other
drug problems (Luoma & Twohig, 2007). No physical or psychiatric
condition is more associated with social disapproval and discrimination
than substance use (Corrigan, Kuwabara & O’ Shaughnessy, 2009).
Even
among people who use drugs, stigma toward other people who use drugs
can be common. People who use a socially acceptable, legal drug, such as
alcohol, may have negative prejudices against people who use illegal
drugs, such as marijuana. People who use illegal so-called ‘soft drugs’
such as marijuana may have negative prejudices against people who use
illegal powdered or ‘hard’ drugs, such as cocaine. And people who inhale
or snort their drug of choice may have prejudice against people who
inject a drug (McLaughlin & Long, 1996).
Stigma is a Greek word
that in its origins referred to a type of marking or tattoo that was cut
or burned into the skin of criminals, slaves, or traitors in order to
visibly identify them as blemished or morally polluted persons. These
individuals were to be avoided particularly in public places
(O'Driscoll, Heary, Hennessy & McKeague, 2012). Stigma is the
experience of being “deeply discredited†or marked due to one’s
“undesired differentness.†To be stigmatized is to be held in contempt,
shunned or rendered socially invisible because of a socially disapproved
status (Smith, 2012). According to National Agency on Drug Control
(2011), when a person is not able to meet expectations because their
behaviour or attributes are undesirable or unacceptable, then stigma
disqualifies a person from social acceptance. O’Kelly (2003) suggests
that stigma is an undesirable attribute that is incongruous with our
stereotype of what a given individual should be. It is a use of negative
labels and is about disrespect. It is not just a matter of using the
wrong word but labels that person who has the substance use disorder.
Stigmas can occur in many different forms. The most common deal with
culture, obessity, gender, race, illness, behaviour and disease. Many
people, who have been stigmatized, feel as though they are transforming
from a whole person to a tainted one (O’Kelly (2003). They feel
different and devalued by others. This can happen in the workplace,
educational settings, health care, the criminal justice system and even
in their own family. For example, the parents of overweight women are
less likely to pay for their daughters' college education than are the
parents of average-weight women. Furthermore, persons with mental health
problems especially those who are substance induced may be abandoned by
family members to avoid embarrassment from members of the society.
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]The study examined the influence of personal growth initiative and public self-consciousness on perceived stigmatization among drug users in Uyo Metropolis. Two hundred and thirty-four (234) participants (171 males and 63 females) were selected from major bunks in Uyo Metropolis. These participants were selected using purposive sampling technique. Perceived Stigmatization Scale for drug users (King, Dinos, Shaw, Watson, Stevens, Passetti, Weich & Mar, 2007), Personal Growth Initiative Scale (Rob ... Continue reading---
