Internalized stigma and caregiver burden among parents of young adults with substance use disorders

Objective The present study explores mediation of the link between internalized stigma and caregiver burden by difficulties regulating distress and depression among a sample of family caregivers. Background Caregiver burden is a common experience among parents whose children struggle with substance use. Depression, anxiety, and difficulties regulating distress are significantly related to the strains associated with this family caregiver role; further, stigmatizing attitudes about substance use can further impact family caregivers' mental health, thus heightening caregiver burden. Method Two-hundred and sixty-four family caregivers completed online, anonymous surveys on their experiences as a parent of a young adult struggling with substance use. Results Parallel mediation modeling indicates significant effects such that difficulty regulating distress and depression symptoms partially explain the association between internalized stigma and caregiving burden. Conclusion Caregiver experiences occur in a societal context that includes stigmatizing attitudes toward the care recipient for their substance use balanced against their emotion regulation resources to manage psychological distress. Implications Family-centered interventions to build caregiver emotion regulation resources are recommended, as these skills buffer against negative outcomes by reducing self-critical judgments and encouraging nonreactive responses to perceived social threats like rejection, or shame.