ORIGINAL ARTICLE Methamphetamine use and depressive symptoms among heterosexual men and women

This study investigated the relationship between intensity of methamphetamine use and depressive symptoms in a sample of 182 heterosexually identified methamphetamine users. Perceived stigma and social and health problems were hypothesized as potential mediators of the relationship between methamphetamine use and depressive symptoms. Forty per cent of the sample met criteria for moderate to severe depression. As hypothesized, the greater the intensity of methamphetamine use, the higher the levels of depressive symptoms. Results of the mediation analyses failed to identify mediating effects for stigma, social problems or health problems. However, perceived stigma had a significant positive direct effect on depressive symptoms. Gender, age and marital status also predicted higher levels of depression. This research suggests the need for drug treatment programmes to: (1) identify and treat depressive symptoms among methamphetamine users; and (2) address social and psychological issues, such as perceived stigma, in an effort to decrease depressive symptomatology and ultimately enhance programme effectiveness