Females diagnosed with a substance use disorder (SUD) may experience more
stigmatization and need more social support than males. Traditional therapeutic services
provide interventions and treatment that is uniform for males and females. The available
research on female substance users does not address meaningful connections and
relationships with others, and its effect on overall wellness. The objective of this study
was to address the importance of social support, stigmatization, and wellness. A sample
of 232 females diagnosed with SUD, at least 18 years of age, responded to three
instruments and a demographic form.
The results of this study indicate that income and age are predictors of overall
wellness and explained 12% of the variance in wellness, when using a multiple regression
analysis, (adjusted R^2 = .119, p = .000). Relationship status and relationship length
demonstrated significance as predictors of social support, explaining 5.6% of the variance
in social support, using a multiple regression analysis, (adjusted R^2 = .056, p = .001). Number of children, age, and relationship length demonstrated significance as predictors
of stigmatization, accounting for 9.4% of the variance in stigmatization, (adjusted R^2 =
.094, p = .000). Social support accounted for 4.1% of the variance in stigmatization using
a multiple regression analysis, (adjusted R^2 = .041, p = .001). Social support explained
39% of the variance in wellness, (adjusted R^2 = .394, p = .000). Using a hierarchical
regression analysis to control for stigmatization, social support explained 44% of the
variance in wellness, (adjusted R^2 = .438, p = .000). Finally, social support mediates the
relationship between stigmatization and wellness, when using path analysis.
This study provided support for specific treatment for females in substance abuse
treatment; particularly concerning social support, stigmatization, and wellness. These
females with SUD reported that social support increased wellness, correlating with
decreased stigmatization. Conversely, females who experienced increased stigmatization
and decreased social support also experienced decreased wellness. Social support
mediated the impact of stigmatization and wellness. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fau.edu/oai:fau.digital.flvc.org:fau_40910 |
| Contributors | Canfield, Irene LeBlanc (author), Gill, Carman S. (Thesis advisor), Florida Atlantic University (Degree grantor), College of Education, Department of Counselor Education |
| Publisher | Florida Atlantic University |
| Source Sets | Florida Atlantic University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation, Text |
| Format | 222 p., application/pdf |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder., http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
Page generated in 0.0017 seconds