Authors:
Suman Vashist, Reny Thomas, Nitesh Kumar Sain, Rakhi Gill, Charu Thakur

Addresses:
Department of Mental Health Nursing, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Department of Mental Health Nursing, Happy Child College of Nursing, Sonipat, Haryana, India. Department of Mental Health Nursing, Jaipur Nursing College, Maharaj Vinayak Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Department of Community Health Nursing, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Department of Paramedical, Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.

Abstract:

Coping strategies are the behavioural and psychological efforts individuals use to manage or reduce stress. In families affected by substance abuse, addiction is often concealed both within and outside the family, leading members to adapt coping strategies to preserve family functioning. This study used a descriptive research design to examine coping strategies used by families of individuals with substance use disorders and to develop a patient-centred family intervention program. Guided by the Stuart Stress Adaptation Model, data were collected from 50 purposively selected family members through a structured interview schedule and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that families employed multiple coping strategies. The most common was planning related to managing the illness (86%), followed by instrumental social support (84.5%) and venting of emotions (83%). Other frequently used strategies included engaging in competing activities, religious coping, emotional support, and active coping. Less common strategies were self-restraint, substance use, denial, and humour. One-way ANOVA revealed significant associations (p < 0.05) between coping strategies and patients' age, occupation, and treatment duration. Open-ended responses highlighted concerns such as marital conflict, financial burden, health issues, and legal problems. Based on these findings, a family intervention program and educational booklet were developed to support caregivers.

Keywords: Coping Strategies; Coping Skills; Substance Abuse; Family Intervention; Family Caregivers; Stress Adaptation; Social Support; Religious Coping; Family Functioning; Emotional Support; Active Coping.

Received on: 20/01/2025, Revised on: 07/03/2025, Accepted on: 06/06/2025, Published on: 03/01/2026

DOI: 10.69888/FTSHS.2026.000628

FMDB Transactions on Sustainable Humanities and Society, 2026 Vol. 3 No. 1, Pages: 37–50

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