Discrepancies between Clients and Clinicians Perceptions of Stigma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Discrepancies between Clients and Clinicians Perceptions of Stigma towards Drug Use: The impact of Attributional Beliefs about Controllability.
IRAS ID
189794
Contact name
Samantha Salamat
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Surrey
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 31 days
Research summary
Substance use disorders have been identified as the most stigmatized disorders within the Western World. Previous research has demonstrated that the impact of stigma consistently results in wide ranging negative effects across all areas of a stigmatised individuals life. It has also been suggested that fear of stigma is a common barrier to accessing and engaging in treatment. With this in mind, and illicit drug related deaths on the increase, it may be important to consider the experience and perception of stigmatising attitudes within healthcare settings.
This study aims to recruit clients (using heroin) under the care of Surrey and Borders NHS Drug and Alcohol services in addition to healthcare professionals working within these services and within Catalyst; a third party Drug and Alcohol service provider in Surrey. Participants are asked to complete a short online questionnaire about their perceptions of stigma, and what qualities they believe to be associated with positive and negative interactions between clients and healthcare professionals. The study will largely take place at the Drug and Alcohol services, whereby participants will be provided online access to the survey. Participants will also be able to complete the survey online at home, if they wish to do so. The survey should take approximately 20 minutes to complete, and following completion there will be no further contact with participants, unless they request contact due to any issues or concerns raised as a result of participating in the study.
It is anticipated that this research will develop our understanding of any differences between what clients and professionals perceive as “stigma”, whilst also exploring the role of attributions of controllability in relation to ones perception of an individual using heroin. It may be that findings from this study will also be useful in guiding future practice around how professionals interact with their clients.
REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
16/WA/0019
Date of REC Opinion
13 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion