Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Abstract

Addiction can be defined as a repetitive use of a substance or drug that occurs despite any negative outcomes associated with its use. Substance use addiction affects many different areas of an individual’s life, and is often associated with stigma which can result in shame, secrecy, or rejection. There are many theoretical models behind the etiology and maintenance of substance use addiction that include biological, sociological, physiological, and other factors. This investigation examines college-aged individuals’ beliefs about which theoretical model best explains substance use addiction, and if those beliefs can be manipulated when presented with new or opposing information. This investigation also examines if familiarity with substance use addiction will influence which model is chosen. Results indicated that individual’s beliefs were not easily manipulated when presented with new or opposing information and that familiarity was not a significant predictor of which model was chosen. Past research has shown that individuals with a substance use addiction can be easily manipulated in their beliefs about addiction and those beliefs remain stable over time. Other past research has also shown that familiarity is not a significant predictor for beliefs about addiction. The current literature about manipulation of beliefs is limited and inconsistent with the method and sample population used, so future research is needed to understand the stability of beliefs about addiction as well as the factors that can influence what model of addiction one believes.

Keywords: addiction, disease model, psychosocial model

Year manuscript completed

2018

Year degree awarded

2018

Author's Keywords

addiction, disease model, psychosocial model

Thesis Advisor

Amanda W Joyce

Committee Chair

Amanda W Joyce

Committee Member

Marie Karlsson

Committee Member

Patrick Cushen

Committee Member

Xiaozhao Y Yang

Document Type

Thesis

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Psychology Commons

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