Effects of Affective Proximity and Treatment on Emotional Response toward People with Substance Use

Emotions act as mediators of the relationship between stereotypes and inclinations to discriminate against and isolate individuals with substance use disorders (SUD). Emotional responses toward people with SUD are more negative than toward those people with non-drug-related mental disorders. This study explored the effects of affective bonds with substance users and treatment on the type and frequency of emotions, valence, and interpersonal distance.

A convenience sample of 1,195 individuals was included in this survey-based study. Participants responded to questions regarding their knowledge of psychoactive drugs and beliefs about substance use disorders and were requested to report the emotions they imagined having felt in four scenarios depicting a substance user whose characteristics varied according to two dimensions: the substance user was a relative or an unknown; the substance user was in treatment for SUD, or not.

Emotions toward relative drug users were more negative and expressed greater interpersonal distance. Treatment was associated with more positive valence and lower interpersonal distance, but emotions toward relatives in treatment were more negative than those not.

Specific interventions for relatives of people with SUD may be necessary because of the emotional burden caused by the courtesy stigma.