Silvana Agterberg1, Nicholas Schubert2, Louise Overington3, Kimberly Corace4. 1. Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, 1165 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461, United States of America. Electronic address: sagterbe@mail.yu.edu. 2. The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders Program, 1145 Carling Ave., Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada. Electronic address: nickschubert99@gmail.com. 3. The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders Program, 1145 Carling Ave., Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada; The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, 1145 Carling Ave., Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada. Electronic address: louise.overington@mail.mcgill.ca. 4. The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders Program, 1145 Carling Ave., Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada; The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, 1145 Carling Ave., Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, 5457-1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada. Electronic address: kim.corace@theroyal.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite the narrowing gender gap in the prevalence of substance use disorders, women continue to be vastly underrepresented in substance use services. Relational factors, family responsibilities, mental health, and stigma may present unique barriers encountered by women. AIMS: The aims of this study were to examine: (1) gender differences in substance use treatment barriers, (2) gender differences in perceptions of stigmatization for seeking substance use treatment, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma-related stress, and (3) whether perceived stigmatization and mental health symptoms are associated with greater barriers among women. METHODS: One hundred adults (50% self-identified women) from a substance use and concurrent disorders program in Ontario, Canada, completed a questionnaire package containing measures of sociodemographic information, substance use, mental health, perceived stigma, and substance use treatment barriers. RESULTS: Women reported more barriers related to family responsibilities, relational factors, and mental health (p < .01), and higher levels of perceived stigma (p < .01) compared to men. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study contribute to our understanding of treatment barriers and perceived stigmatization among women. This knowledge may be used to aid in the development and delivery of accessible, gender-responsive services that address these barriers and challenge the stigma attached to substance use among women.
BACKGROUND: Despite the narrowing gender gap in the prevalence of substance use disorders, women continue to be vastly underrepresented in substance use services. Relational factors, family responsibilities, mental health, and stigma may present unique barriers encountered by women. AIMS: The aims of this study were to examine: (1) gender differences in substance use treatment barriers, (2) gender differences in perceptions of stigmatization for seeking substance use treatment, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma-related stress, and (3) whether perceived stigmatization and mental health symptoms are associated with greater barriers among women. METHODS: One hundred adults (50% self-identified women) from a substance use and concurrent disorders program in Ontario, Canada, completed a questionnaire package containing measures of sociodemographic information, substance use, mental health, perceived stigma, and substance use treatment barriers. RESULTS:Women reported more barriers related to family responsibilities, relational factors, and mental health (p < .01), and higher levels of perceived stigma (p < .01) compared to men. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study contribute to our understanding of treatment barriers and perceived stigmatization among women. This knowledge may be used to aid in the development and delivery of accessible, gender-responsive services that address these barriers and challenge the stigma attached to substance use among women.