Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2025

Integrating Computerized Linguistic and Social Network Analyses to Capture Addiction Recovery Capital in an Online Community
Published on: May 31, 2019
Exploring stigmatization in digital newspaper coverage of substance use disorder
Yasemin Bilişli1, İlkay Keser2, Ali Erdoğan3
1Department of Office Services and Secretariat, Social Sciences Vocational School, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Türkiye.
Abstract:
Substance use disorder is a global health issue that profoundly affects both individuals and societies. Social stigma acts as a significant barrier to treatment motivation. Mass media plays a substantial role in shaping societal perceptions. This study aims to identify stigmatizing attitudes in news narratives concerning substance use disorder as portrayed in digital newspapers. We examined news articles from the top eight national digital newspapers published during 2022 by using quantitative and retrospective content analysis. Following the review, we collected 1.233 news articles, removed 480 articles which were irrelevant or duplicate, and analyzed the remaining 753 articles using quantitative content analysis methods on SPSS 26.0. The majority of news articles depict substance use disorder in a negative consideration. The analysis revealed that nearly all news sources were news agencies and only 11% of the articles offered potential solutions. Alarmingly, 69.7% of the articles contained stigmatizing content, while 53.1% directly impacted the social lives of individuals with substance use disorder. Furthermore, 44.1% of the articles reinforced a dangerous perception associated with individuals with substance use disorder. To address these issues, we recommend a more empathetic portrayal of substance use disorder, support for help-seeking behavior, and advocacy for effective solutions in news coverage.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Drug Dependence
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Stimulants
Cocaine can be administered via snorting, injection, or smoking. It primarily functions by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, resulting in a euphoric high characterized by an intense sensation of happiness and...

