Levels and relationships of Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, and Severity of Dependence among tribals with alcohol use disorder among tribals in East India: A preliminary study

Abstract

Objective: The research aimed to investigate the levels and relationships of Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, and Dependence Severity among tribal individuals with alcohol use disorder. Methods: Two hundred tribals with alcohol use disorder were recruited at three tertiary health care centre in three districts and assessed with the Sociodemographic and clinical proforma, Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (CAMSR), The Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS), and Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS). Results: The mean score on the SDS, CAMSR, and DTS was 4.99, 23.52, and 33.44, respectively. There were no statistically significant relationships between the measure of mindfulness scores and dependence severity scores. However, the perceived capacity to endure emotional suffering and negative emotions consuming one's focus was significantly inversely linked to the severity of dependence. Conclusion: There appear to be lower levels of distress tolerance and mindfulness among tribals with alcohol use disorder. The severity of alcohol use has no significant link with mindfulness but has inversely linked with emotional distress tolerance and attention absorption by negative emotions.