Development and examination of the attribution questionnaire-substance use disorder (AQ-SUD) to measure public stigma towards adolescents experiencing substance use disorders

Public stigma may significantly impact adolescents with substance use disorders (SUDs), leading to limited treatment accessibility and utilization. However, few measures have been validated assess public SUD towards adolescents. In this study we developed the Attribution Questionnaire-Substance Use Disorder (AQ-SUD) by modifying Questionnaire, a commonly used measure of mental illness stigma. We examined 1) psychometric properties AQ-SUD supporting data from other scales 2) preliminary on adults’ perceptions toward SUDs. Adult participants (n = 304) were randomly assigned one four vignettes about an adolescent specific diagnosis (opioid, marijuana, alcohol, stimulant disorders). Participants completed three designed convergent divergent validity. Analyses indicated that modified has good properties, revealed four-factor structure: negative emotions, assessment responsibility, social disengagement, lack empathy. Additional demonstrated psychometrics provided evidence both validity for AQ-SUD. Preliminary analysis suggests attitudes marijuana disorder differ This is first modify validate adolescents, analyses suggest adults view as less severe compared SUDs, which implications motivation support youth in seeking treatment.