Burden of care and coping skills in spouses of individuals with substance use disorders: A cross-sectional study

Background: Substance use culminates into socio-occupational impairment of not only the individual but also affects the quality of life of the family members living with him. Keeping this in view, the study aims to assess the burden of care and coping skills in spouses of individuals with substance use and their correlation with the sociodemographic variables. Aims: The aim of this study is to study the burden of care and coping skills among spouses of substance use disorder and correlation with various sociodemographic variables. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional, observational study in outpatient as well as inpatients of tertiary health care teaching institution. Subjects and Methods: Sixty participants were taken as per the inclusion criteria. After obtaining the general sociodemographic data, burden was assessed by Burden Assessment Schedule, whereas coping skills were assessed using Brief coping orientation to problems experienced. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS software. Pearson Correlation and Multiple Regression Analysis was done, and P < 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: The mean burden score was found in the range of moderate. When compared with various coping styles, avoidant coping showed a statistically significant correlation with total burden (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis model between burden and age, socioeconomic status, education, and coping styles showed significant association. Conclusions: Burden among the spouses of substance use was significantly high within moderate severity. Avoidant coping skill contributes to increase in the burden of care, hence the formal behavior to be addressed accordingly.