Cultural model of self-stigma among Chinese with substance use problems.
BACKGROUND
Substance use is regarded as one of the most stigmatizing conditions worldwide. To achieve recovery, individuals with substance use problems must learn to cope with stigma. Despite the potential importance of cultural factors in the internalization process of stigma, few studies have incorporated culturally salient factors in understanding self-stigma. We responded to this gap in the literature by investigating a mechanism of self-stigma that focused on a cultural value salient to the Chinese-face concern. Specifically, we hypothesized that two types of face concern (mianzi concern and lian concern) would affect self-stigma and mental health through self-conscious moral emotions and rumination.


METHODS
A total of 199 Hong Kong Chinese adults with substance use problems completed standardized questionnaires.


RESULTS
Test of the proposed model using structural equation modeling showed excellent fit to the data. The findings support the role of face concern in affecting self-stigma and mental health among Chinese with substance use problems. In particular, the findings showed significant indirect effects of lian concern on rumination, self-stigma, and mental health via moral emotions.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study provides preliminary empirical support for the importance of cultural factors in the internalization process of stigma and the maintenance of mental health among individuals with substance use problems.
Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Electronic address: wwsmak@psy.cuhk.edu.hk.
Winnie W S
WW
Mak
Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Connie Y Y
CY
Ho
Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Venus U T
VU
Wong
Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Rita W
RW
Law
Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Randolph C H
RC
Chan
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology*; D003469:Culture; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009014:Morals; D012649:Self Concept; D012752:Shame; D057545:Social Stigma; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Chinese; Face concern; Mental health; Moral emotions; Self-stigma; Substance use