<p> 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. </p><p> 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 <i>R<sup>2</sup></i> = .119, <i>p</i> = .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 <i> R<sup>2</sup></i> = .056, <i>p</i> = .001). Number of children, age, and relationship length demonstrated significance as predictors of stigmatization, accounting for 9.4% of the variance in stigmatization, (adjusted <i> R<sup>2</sup></i> = .094, <i>p</i> = .000). Social support accounted for 4.1% of the variance in stigmatization using a multiple regression analysis, (adjusted <i>R<sup>2</sup></i> = .041, <i>p</i> = .001). Social support explained 39% of the variance in wellness, (adjusted <i> R<sup>2</sup></i> = .394, <i>p</i> = .000). Using a hierarchical regression analysis to control for stigmatization, social support explained 44% of the variance in wellness, (adjusted <i>R<sup>2</sup></i> = .438, <i>p</i> = .000). Finally, social support mediates the relationship between stigmatization and wellness, when using path analysis. </p><p> 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. </p><p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:10981214 |
| Date | 05 March 2019 |
| Creators | Canfield, Irene LeBlanc |
| Publisher | Florida Atlantic University |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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