成瘾行为、治疗与康复杂志

Psycho-Cognitive Understanding of Caregivers of Alcohol Users from Tertiary Treatment Centre

Sharma MK, Vadela I and Marimuthu P

Background: The alcohol use is being associated with psychosocial consequences among caregivers. There is dearth of information related to cognitive implications of caregiver burden. The present work aims at studying the psycho-cognitive correlates of caregivers of persons with Alcohol dependent and Alcoholic dependent with psychiatric co morbidity.

Material & Methods: The sample consisted of 60 caregivers (30 in each Alcohol Dependence Syndrome & Alcohol Dependence Syndrome with psychiatric co morbid Disorders randomly selected from Inpatient and Outpatient setting of tertiary hospital. They were assessed using Semi-structured interview ,Burden Assessment Schedule Coping Check List ,Perceived Stress in Families Scale, Wechsler Memory sub Scales and Stroop test.

Results: Alcohol Dependence Syndrome with psychiatric co morbid Disorders caregivers were experiencing more burden than alcohol dependence syndrome caregivers. This was significant in relation to Physical and Mental health and Caregivers routines. The male caregivers were using more Acceptance /Redefine, Distraction Negative coping strategy than Female caregivers. The older adult caregivers of ADS were using more Religious Faith coping strategy than younger adult caregivers. The Distraction Positive, Acceptance /Redefine, Denial/Blame coping strategy were negatively correlated with Burden Assessment Schedule and Perceived Stress. Coping skills were positively correlated with Verbal Learning and memory. Distraction Negative coping strategy and physical and mental health burden were positively correlated with interference the burden, perceived stress and use of poor coping strategies were more among caregivers of alcohol users with psychiatric problem.

Conclusions: The present work has implication for developing psychosocial interventions for management of caregiver’s distress and burden.