Coping Behaviors as Predictors of Drinking Practices among Primary in-Home Dementia Caregivers

Abstract

This study examines the predictive value of coping behaviors in discriminating drinkers from nondrinkers among 109 primary in-home dementia caregivers. The participants were enrolled in a caregivers education project and completed comprehensive health and psychosocial assessments prior to receiving education. Coping was measured using the Ways of Coping Questionnaire. Questions on alcohol use were embedded in a self-administered portion of the assessment. A model testing the predictive value of coping behaviors in discriminating drinkers from nondrinkers was found to be significant (p < .0393). Caregivers who used self-controlling or distancing coping were more likely to be classified as drinkers, and those who used positive reappraisal or confrontive coping were more likely to be classified as nondrinkers. As the number of caregivers increases, gaininga greater understanding of relationships between caregiver copingand behaviors with potential for negative health and psychosocial consequences, such as alcohol use, can have useful applications in practice.