Internalized Stigma in Alcohol Dependence: Association with Depression

The internalized stigma and depressive symptoms in alcohol dependency could have negative impacts on patient's social and occupational life and treatment processes. The main aims of this research are to examine the relation between internalized stigma and depression and to determine the effects of demographic and clinical variables on internalized stigma in alcohol dependency. Patients who attended the study were receiving outpatient and inpatient alcohol dependency treatment. In this research demographic-clinic dataform, Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI) and Beck Depression Inventory were used. Results indicated that internalized stigma was positively related to depression. In addition, depression and outpatient treatment, low educational level and unemployment were found as the risk factors for internalized stigma. Findings regarding the relation between internalized stigma and depression were discussed in reference toexisting literature.