title: Changes in the perception of alcohol-related stigma in Germany over the last two decades.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alcohol dependence is a severely stigmatized disorder. Perceived stigma may deter help-seeking and is associated with higher co-morbidity and self-stigma in persons with alcohol dependence. We assess changes in the perception of alcohol-related stigma over 21 years in the general population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two representative population surveys using identical methodology were conducted in Germany in 1990 and 2011 (n=1022 and n=967), eliciting the perceived discrimination and devaluation of someone with a history of alcohol problems as measured with an adoption of Link's Perceived Discrimination and Devaluation Scale (aPDDS), and perceived negative stereotypes of an "alcoholic."
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both on item level and using factor scores, attitudes changed significantly between 1990 and 2011. Perceived discrimination and devaluation of someone with a history of alcohol dependence decreased considerably by 0.44 standard deviations (SD). Perceived negative stereotypes related to unpredictability of an "alcoholic" increased slightly by 0.15 SD, while perceived stereotypes related to strangeness decreased (-0.23 SD).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that particularly the image of someone who has received treatment for alcohol dependence has improved in Germany. This parallels increasing acceptance of professional treatment for alcohol dependence among the general population over the last twenty years, and contrasts with overall unchanged negative attitudes toward persons who actually suffer from alcohol problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Ernst Moritz Arndt University, Greifswald, Germany; HELIOS Hanseklinikum Stralsund, Germany. Electronic address: georg.schomerus@uni-greifswald.de.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schomerus
authors.affiliation: Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Medical Sociology, Social Medicine and Health Economics, University of Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matschinger
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Ernst Moritz Arndt University, Greifswald, Germany; HELIOS Hanseklinikum Stralsund, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lucht
authors.affiliation: Center for Public Mental Health, Gösing am Wagram, Austria; Department of Public Health and Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Matthias C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Angermeyer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012922:Social Change; D057545:Social Stigma; D012945:Social Values; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Perceived Discrimination and Devaluation Scale; Stigma; Substance use disorders; Time-trend study