AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF THE PREDICTORS OF COPING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING IN FEMALE PARTNERS OF EXCESSIVE DRINKERS

Abstract

The study was a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 29 women with a recent experience of coping with excessive drinking in a male partner. A number of cognitive and environmental factors were studied to determine the extent to which they predicted coping style and psychological well-being in this group. Results of multiple regression analysis indicated that “engaged” coping (characterized by attempts to change the drinker) was best predicted by a single cognitive variable (self-demands). In contrast, “tolerant” coping was best predicted by a combination of participant’s beliefs about their ability to withdraw from the drinker and the degree of drink-related hardship experienced within the family. “Withdrawal” coping, characterized by avoidant and independent behaviours by the women, was best predicted by a combination of beliefs about the necessity of withdrawal and the duration of time the participants had been coping with the excessive drinking. Finally, psychological well-being was best predicted by a single environmental variable (the degree of hardship caused by the drinking). A number of significant correlations were found to exist between the predictor and criterion variables and are discussed. Limitations of the study and clinical implications of the findings are examined.