Abstract
Guided by the Multicultural Assessment Intervention Process (MAIP) model framework, the present study examined the effects of cultural factors on attitudes about substance use disorders/addiction among Iranian Americans across the United States (Dana, 1993, 2000; Gamst et al., 2011). The study consisted of a final sample of 454 Iranian American adult participants. Participants completed an online survey that assessed demographic factors, ethnic identity (MEIM-R; Phinney & Ong, 2007), acculturation (VIA; Ryder et al., 2000), perceived discrimination (PEDQ-CV; Brondolo et al., 2005), religiosity (DSES; Underwood & Teresi, 2002), attitudes about addiction (PAAAS; Broadus & Evans, 2015), and attitudes about prescription drug use (PDAQ; Bodenlos et al., 2014). The results indicated that Iranian American attitudes towards substance use disorders are impacted by cultural factors. Specifically, whereas acculturation to mainstream culture was the strongest predictor of more psychological, sociological, and disease attitudes of addiction, perceived stigmatization was the strongest predictor of moral and nature attitudes of addiction. Further, perceived stigmatization was found to predict more positive attitudes towards prescription drug use among Iranian Americans. Clinical implications, limitations, and future research are discussed.