Stigma, Including Anticipated Stigma, and Cannabis Use Disclosure Among Older Adults in Health Care Settings: An Integrative Review

Purpose: The current integrative review examines anticipated stigma as a newer subdomain of stigma barrier to cannabis use disclosure among older adults and synthesizes current evidence on its implications for care delivery, patient safety, and provider engagement. Method: Using Whittemore and Knafl's integrative review framework, a systematic literature search was performed across CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus to identify peer-reviewed articles published from 2010 to 2025. These studies were screened and analyzed to assess their relevance to anticipated stigma, cannabis use, and disclosure among adults aged ≥60 years. Results: Twenty-five studies met inclusion criteria. Results indicate that stigma, stemming from ageism, legal ambiguity, and provider bias, leads to nondisclosure of cannabis use. This concealment affects medication safety, therapeutic relationships, and health outcomes. Conclusion: Addressing anticipated stigma is essential for enhancing cannabis-related care for older adults. Future research should inform stigma-aware communication strategies and provider training programs that encourage disclosure and focus on patient-centered care.