Burden and coping among primary caregivers of persons with alcohol use disorder

Abstract

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects not just the individual who uses it but also their family, especially the primary caregivers. Avoidance, discord, fearful withdrawal, problem-focused, and emotionally focused coping styles are generally identified among families of alcoholics. There are very few studies regarding the primary caregiver’s burden and coping with AUD patients in India. This study aims to assess the level of caregivers’ burden and coping among primary caregivers of persons with AUD. Aim: The present study primarily aims to assess the level of caregiver burden, coping, and general health among the primary caregivers of a person with AUD. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in a psychiatry tertiary care hospital. The total sample size was 70, chosen through the non-probability purposive sampling method. The socio-demographic profile of AUD patients and their primary caregivers was assessed using a semi-structured proforma. The burden and coping of the primary caregiver were assessed using the Burden Assessment Schedule Brief COPE, and the general health questionnaire (GHQ) scale. Results: Primary caregivers of subjects with AUD faced a moderate (28.6%) to severe (71.4%) burden and had low coping strategies. The severity of alcohol use, caregiver general health, caregivers’ burden, and coping strategies were shown to be statistically significant between different variables. Conclusion: The study concluded that the burden level on the primary caregivers of AUD was moderate to severe. The coping strategies of caregivers of AUD were found to be poor.

Keywords: Alcohol use disorder, caregivers, burden, coping