The Relationship Between Coping Behaviours, their Effectiveness and Alcoholism Relapse and Survival

Summary The results of a Principal Components analysis of the Effectiveness of Coping Behaviours Inventory (ECBI) administered to 256 hospitalized alcoholic patients are compared with the results of the Coping Behaviours Inventory (CBI) administered to the same sample and also compared with a reanalysis of data obtained from a different sample 5years ago. The results indicate that the factor structure of the ECBI and CBI are similar. The four factors emerging from the present study, accounting for 59 per cent of the variance were: 1. Positive Thinking 2. Negative Thinking 3. Avoidance/Distraction 4. Seeking Social Supports While the scores on the CBI at intake did not discriminate between subsequent relapsers and survivors, the factor scores on the ECBI at intake on ‘Positive Thinking’ and ‘Avoidance/Distraction’ were found to be predictive of subsequent outcome 6 to 12 months later. The clinical implications are discussed in terms of coping strategies for relapse prevention treatment.