Distress Intolerance in the Parents of Substance Dependent Patients

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine levels of Distress Tolerance (DT) and to compare levels of DT and depression, anxiety in the parents of substance dependent patients. This sample included 40 parents of inpatients undergoing treatment for substance dependence (SDPP) in the Balıklı Rum Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. A healthy control group was recruited of 40 individuals with no Axis I diagnoses that were matched by gender with the SDPP group. All study participants completed a sociodemographic data form and the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the State & Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Distress Tolerance Scale. DSM-IV-TR Axis I diagnoses were evaluated by psychiatrists through face to face interviews in which a Structured Clinical Interview (SCID I) was administered. We found a statistically significant lower level of distress tolerance (DT) in our SDPP group. A negative relationship was found between levels of DT, depression and anxiety. Lots of studies also showed that negative emotional states in the parents of substance dependent patients had negative effects upon those patients during their treatment process. For this reason, we recommend routine screening in the levels of DT, depression and anxiety in the Parents of Substance Dependent Patients (SDPPs).