A study of stress, coping and strain among family members living with individuals with substance use disorder in India

Background and aims: Living with a patient with substance use disorder imposes its own stresses and strain, and individuals use their own coping methods to deal with this stress. The Stress Strain Coping Support (SSCS) model has been developed to understand how certain coping styles mediate stress and strain. This study aimed to assess the applicability of the SSCS model in India. Methods: The family members of patients with alcohol and/or opioid dependence were evaluated using Family Member Impact (FMI) scale for stress, the Symptom Rating Test (SRT) for strain, the Coping Questionnaire (CQ) for coping and the Hopefulness-Hopelessness (HOPE) scale. Multiple linear regression and hierarchical linear analysis were used to assess the effect of stress on strain. Results: Thirty eight out of 89 recruited relatives were females. The mean total scores on FMI was 38.9 (+/- 8.5), SRT was 26.5 (+/- 12.8), CQ was 64.4 (+/- 13.5) and HOPE was 34.0 (+/- 5.4). Hierarchical linear regression suggested add-on effect on coping in explaining the relationship of stress and strain. Conclusion: The study presents observations of SSCS model in India, and suggests that the types of coping that leads to experience of strain might be different in this setting.