A Comparative Study of Alexithymia, Coping Strategies, and Perceived Social Support Among Alcohol and Opioid Dependents

Abstract

The present study examines the association between alexithymia, coping strategies and perceived social support among 90 male participants (M = 36.17 years, SD = 8.26) comprising of 30 alcohol dependents, 30 opioid dependents, and 30 healthy individuals. A cross-sectional descriptive research design was used to collect data using purposive sampling in Aizawl, Mizoram. The Toronto alexithymia scale-20 (TAS-20; Bagby et al., 1994), brief COPE (Carver, 1997) and the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS; Zimet GD et al, 1988) were used to measure alexithymia, coping strategies and perceived social support respectively. Data analysis was done employing descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, chi square and ANOVA. Findings indicated that alexithymia has strong, significant negative associations with adaptive coping and perceived social support, whereas adaptive coping and perceived social support had significantly strong positive association. Findings further revealed significant group differences in alexithymia, coping strategies and perceived support across the three groups; opioid dependents reported highest mean score on alexithymia and maladaptive coping strategies followed by the mean score of alcohol dependents, whereas healthy control group reported highest mean score on adaptive coping strategies and perceived social support. The present findings highlight the need for incorporating interventions aimed at improving emotional insight, enhancing adaptive coping mechanisms, and strengthening social support system, in addition to pharmacotherapy, for successful treatment and recovery.