Abstract
BackgroundThe problem of coping with stress is an important one in the context of development and persistence of alcohol dependence. In the literature to date very little attention has been paid to coping patterns construed as a configuration of specific coping styles, particularly as regards the functioning of addicted individuals. The aim of the study was to verify whether individuals with alcohol dependence characterized by different coping patterns differ with respect to the severity of psychopathological symptoms, defense mechanisms and time perspectives.MethodsParticipants were given a battery of psychological tests—Coping Inventory for Stresfull Situations (CISS), Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ 40), Syndrom Checklist (SCL-90) and Short Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (SZPTI-PL). The sample comprised 112 individuals with alcohol dependence, aged 20 to 63 years old, the average age was 37.86; 78 percent were men. There were identified three sub-groups of individuals characterized by a distinctive patterns of coping with stress —“emotional-avoidant”, “task oriented” and a “mixed one”.ResultsIndividuals with the predominant emotional-avoidant coping pattern are characterized by significantly higher severity of psychopathological symptoms, less mature defense mechanisms and past time perspectives. Subjects reliant on task-oriented coping pattern were characterized by the highest level of adaptation and the most constructive way of functioning in the face of difficulties.ConclusionIt is worth regarding the examination of patterns of coping as an indispensable element of collecting medical history from alcohol dependent individuals.
Highlights
According to Lazarus & Folkmann (1994), coping with stress consists of cognitive and behavioral efforts to manage external or internal demands that are appraised as taxing, exceeding the resources of the person or endangering his or her welfare
It seems important to examine the relationship between time perspectives and coping styles among alcohol dependence (AD) individuals, who in this study find themselves in specific circumstances of hospitalization at the addiction treatment ward
The participants with an emotional-avoidant stress coping pattern are characterized by greater severity of psychopathological symptoms, more immature defense mechanisms and concentration on the past compared to those with a task-oriented pattern
Summary
According to Lazarus & Folkmann (1994), coping with stress consists of cognitive and behavioral efforts to manage external or internal demands that are appraised as taxing, exceeding the resources of the person or endangering his or her welfare. How to cite this article Iwanicka et al (2017), Psychopathological symptoms, defense mechanisms and time perspectives among subjects with alcohol dependence (AD) presenting different patterns of coping with stress. Campbell-Sills, Cohan & Stein (2006) indicated that both task-oriented coping and emotion-oriented coping contributed significantly to the prediction of resilience It was suggested (Aldao & Nolen-Hoeksema, 2012) that engagement in adaptive coping strategies negatively correlates with levels of psychopathological symptoms only when levels of maladaptive strategies are elevated. The aim of the study was to verify whether individuals with alcohol dependence characterized by different coping patterns differ with respect to the severity of psychopathological symptoms, defense mechanisms and time perspectives. Individuals with the predominant emotional-avoidant coping pattern are characterized by significantly higher severity of psychopathological symptoms, less mature defense mechanisms and past time perspectives. It is worth regarding the examination of patterns of coping as an indispensable element of collecting medical history from alcohol dependent individuals
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