Coping Style as a Moderator of Chronic Loneliness and Substance Use in Emerging Adults

Abstract

transition to university/college [20][21][22][23]. Past research on loneliness has revealed that a large portion of the young adult population is frequently lonely [24,25], and more recent prevalence rates for loneliness range from 20% to 30% [26,27]. Individuals manage feelings of loneliness in different ways, and these coping strategies can have a significant influence on behavioural outcomes.Coping is commonly defined as a process which includes cognitive and behavioural efforts to manage external or internal stimuli that are appraised as demanding or beyond the resources of the individual [28][29][30]. Researchers generally categorize coping strategies based on the function of coping efforts. Zuckerman and Gagne [31] proposed a 5-factor model of coping, where adaptive coping is represented by self-help, approach, and accommodation; while maladaptive coping is represented by avoidance and self-punishment [31]. Individuals develop characteristic coping strategies early in childhood and it is suggested that attachment patterns may help explain individual differences in coping strategies. Insecure attachment has been consistently related to maladaptive coping strategies such as withdrawal, avoidance, emotionminimizing, repression, and diversion [32,33]. Adaptive coping strategies have been linked to fewer externalizing problems in adults, while maladaptive coping efforts have been linked to both emotional and behavioural problems [34,35].Research has reported a significant increase in substance use in young adults during the 21 st century [36][37][38]. Alcohol is a particularly AbstractPrimary affective bonds are integral to forming successful close adult relationships and an inadequate sense of belongingness can lead to loneliness. Loneliness and insecure attachment have been consistently related to negative behavioural outcomes, such as substance use which is often used as a means to cope with negative emotions The goal of this study was to examine whether coping may moderate the relationship between attachment security, loneliness, and substance use. Two hundred and nine (209) young adults (18-30 years of age) completed self-report questionnaires measuring attachment security, loneliness, coping style, and level of substance use. In the current sample, 60.3% of participants met the criteria for alcohol misuse and 48.3% met the criteria for drug misuse. Results showed that higher levels of chronic social loneliness predicted higher levels of substance use (p =0. 029), but coping did not moderate this relationship. Higher attachment avoidance predicted higher levels of substance use (p<0.001), while adaptive coping moderated this relationship (p=0.001). Since adaptive coping skills may buffer avoidant individuals against substance misuse, it may be useful for substance use interventions to be tailored, such that avoidant individuals are taught coping skills that promote greater awareness of internal states and lessen feelings of interpersonal distress.Citation: MacNeill LP, DiTommaso E, Brunelle C (2016) [39...

Affected family member coping with a relative with alcohol and/or other drug misuse: A cross‐sectional survey questionnaire

“…Engaged and tolerant‐inactive coping, in particular, could be interpreted as forms of maladaptive coping (MacNeill et al . ), which, potentially, have more unfavourable implications for their physical health and/or ability to socialise with others.…”

“…There are two types of coping: emotion‐ or problem‐focused (Lazarus & Folkman ), which can be classified in accordance with their purpose (MacNeill et al . ). Zuckerman and Gagne () conceived a five‐factor model of adaptive and maladaptive coping, where coping measures adopted range from complete involvement to avoidance of, in this situation, the relative with substance misuse.…”

“…Adaptive coping is aligned with beneficial outcomes, whereas maladaptive coping is associated with emotional and behavioural difficulties (MacNeill et al . ).…”

“…In contrast, maladaptive coping may include avoidance of the situation and self‐criticism (MacNeill et al . ; Zuckerman & Gagne ). Adaptive coping is aligned with beneficial outcomes, whereas maladaptive coping is associated with emotional and behavioural difficulties (MacNeill et al .…”

Adaptive coping strategies of affected family members of a relative with substance misuse: A qualitative study

“…Adaptive and maladaptive coping have contrasting implications for how AFMs respond to a relative and their ability to sustain their support‐giving role. While coping by the person with substance misuse has been examined in numerous studies (Hides et al., ; Hyman & Sinha, ; MacNeill et al., ; Scherer, Worthington, Hook, & Campana, ), it is important to take a family perspective when dealing with this issue (Alexanderson & Näsman, ; Forrester et al., ). Few studies have examined AFMs coping and how they respond to this experience and limited resources exist to enhance their coping (Kelly et al., ; Weegmann & Head, ), despite high rates of help‐seeking by AFMs to AOD helplines (Garde, Manning, & Lubman, ).…”