Does Stigma Towards Alcoholics Vary with their Socio-Demographic Context? : An Experimental Study

Socio-demographic variables are important parameters of stigma towards people with alcohol use disorder. The present study explores whether the attitude towards alcohol use disorder is shaped by the belief system, along with focusing on the relationship between belief and attitude. It also investigates whether such attitude depends on the effects of sex and profession of the vignette, resulting in stigma. The study included 565 college-going students pursuing their graduation or post-graduation studies, age ranging 19 to 23 years. Participants were administered a Personal Information Schedule, Belief Towards Mental Illness Scale and Attitude to Mental Illness Questionnaire in modified form, consisting of short vignettes. A structured interview was conducted to explore the cause behind the differences in the attitude of the participants toward alcohol use disorder. Descriptive and Inferential statistics were done. The transcripts of the interview were qualitatively analysed in terms of Open and Focus Coding. Finding shows profession, sex and their interaction effect have significant impact on attitude towards alcohol use based on the story of vignettes. Association of dangerousness and poor interpersonal relationship skills with the negative attitude towards alcohol use disorder were found. Qualitative Analysis revealed the impact of socio-cultural and demographic factors, in shaping the participants' attitude towards alcohol use disorder. The present study reveals that socio-cultural and demographic variables determine the beliefs and attitudes, thereby resulting in the social discrimination, which need to be considered while designing therapeutic intervention.