Self-stigma in individuals with substance use disorders and the relationship with meaning in life: a latent profile analysis

OBJECTIVE: To explore the latent profiles of self-stigma and their relationship with meaning in life among individuals with substance use disorders(SUDs). METHODS: A total of 1001 participants were recruited from six drug rehabilitation centers in Sichuan Province between July and August 2025 and completed the self-stigma Scale for Drug Addicts (SSSDA) and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify latent profiles of self-stigma. Multinomial logistic regression was employed to analyze influencing factors, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare differences in meaning in life across the different profiles. RESULTS: The self-stigma of individuals with SUDs can be categorized into four latent profiles: the "stigma-resistant profile"(10.0%), "moderate stigma-concealment profile"(46.3%), "internalized stigma profile"(19.5%), and "low internalization-adaptation profile"(24.3%). Among these, the "moderate stigma-concealment profile", "internalized stigma profile", and "low internalization-adaptation profile" represent categories with higher levels of self-stigma. Risk factors associated with these profiles include male sex, low income, a history of being left-behind children, low social support, multiple rehabilitation attempts, as well as mental illness or HIV infection. Statistically significant differences were found among the four profiles in the total score of meaning in life and its sub-dimensions-presence of meaning and search for meaning (p < 0.001). The "stigma-resistant profile" presented the highest level of MIL, whereas the "internalized stigma profile" presented the lowest level. CONCLUSION: Significant heterogeneity exists in self-stigma among individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs), and the level of self-stigma is significantly negatively correlated with MIL.