Interference of personal stigma in occupational performance: Study of adult substance addicts at Unidade de Desabituação do Norte.

Abstract

Introduction: Given the negative effects of addiction, occupational performance is compromised, impacting on interpersonal relationships and daily routines. Currently there is little literature associating personal stigma with the quality of occupational performance in the drug user population, especially in Portugal. Objective: The aim is to understand how personal stigma can affect the occupational performance of adult individuals with substance dependence, as well as identifying the areas of occupation and activities most affected. Material and Methods: This is a mixed observational and cross-sectional study. Data collection was carried out by applying a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness inventory, and a semi structured interview to substance users of the Unidade de Desabituação do Norte. The data analysis and processing were carried out using the WebQDA and SPSS software. Results: The results obtained made it possible to a better understanding of the areas of occupation and respective activities are most affected by personal stigma in each sociodemographic variable of the sample, alongside the current literature. The ISMI scale has a Cronbach’s alfa of 0,89, conferring reliability to it, with the sample having a means of 2,42, being the “moderate” level of personal stigma the most representative. It was found that personal stigma affects the participation in IADL’s, health management, labor, and social participation. Conclusion: Given the difficulties caused by personal stigma, it is essential to fight stigma for satisfying occupational performance. Nonetheless, it was also observed that many described difficulties in occupational performance are due to the substance abuse.