Self-Stigma, Mental Health, and Help Seeking in Alcohol Use Disorder
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Self-Stigma in Alcohol Use Disorder: Implications for Mental Health and Help Seeking
IRAS ID
346624
Contact name
David Curran
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen's University Belfast
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 31 days
Research summary
Individuals with alcohol use disorder suffer severe stigmatisation from society. This stigma can be internalised in the form of self-stigma. Research suggests that self-stigma can have a detrimental impact on the mental health of those with alcohol use disorder and serve as a barrier to help seeking. Preliminary research proposes that shame, but not guilt, is an emotional component of self-stigma.
The relationship between self-stigma and mental health, and self-stigma and help seeking in those with alcohol use disorder in Northern Ireland remains to be examined. The current study is seeking to address this gap. It also will examine the emotional components of self-stigma and whether guilt is involved in the process.
The following questions will be addressed:
1. What is the relationship between self-stigma, shame, and guilt in alcohol use disorder?
2. How does self-stigma, and the accompanying shame and guilt, and alcohol consumption impact mental health in alcohol use disorder?
3. How does self-stigma impact help seeking behaviours in alcohol use disorder? Does help seeking attitudes mediate this relationship?Participants will complete a short online survey containing measures assessing the following variables: self-stigma, guilt, shame, alcohol use, anxiety, depression, help seeking attitudes, and help seeking behaviours. Participants will be recruited through opportunity sampling within the NHS, Probation Board of Northern Ireland, voluntary agencies, community sites, and social media platforms. Inclusion criteria will be individuals aged 18+, living in NI, who currently or within the last 12 months identify with having problematic alcohol use.
The purpose of the study is to help increase understanding of the impact of stigma on individuals with alcohol use disorder in Northern Ireland to allow for a better understanding of the barriers to engaging with services and the design of more appropriate treatment methods.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
25/NI/0089
Date of REC Opinion
5 Aug 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion