Role of Gratitude Intervention in Reducing Psychological Distress and Perceived Stigma among Persons with Alcohol Use Disorder
Imlisongla LongkumerAbstract
Background:
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is prevalent worldwide, causing suffering to many afflicted. Persons with AUD often face stigma and experience psychological distress. Gratitude is a positive psychological factor that is increasingly being recommended for the promotion of well-being. However, its use in the recovery of persons with AUD, particularly with respect to reducing psychological distress and perceived stigma, has not been researched.
Aims:
The study examines the effect that a gratitude intervention has on psychological distress and perceived stigma in persons with AUD.
Design:
A randomized controlled intervention study design was used.
Subjects and Methods:
Study participants were recruited from five rehabilitation centres. There were 54 participants at baseline randomly assigned to the experimental condition (
Results:
Altogether, 37 participants completed the study. The scores of the 37 participants only were considered for the pretest-posttest analysis. The majority of the participants were found to have high psychological distress and perceived stigma. Analysis of pretest-posttest scores using ANCOVA showed a significant reduction in psychological distress,
Conclusions:
Gratitude intervention is easy to administer and is cost-effective. The study provides important information about the effects of gratitude intervention on psychological distress and perceived stigma that can be incorporated in the treatment plan of persons with AUD.