Differences in stress coping strategies between heroin addict and non-addict groups

Žužul, Neda. (2016). Differences in stress coping strategies between heroin addict and non-addict groups. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Psychology. [mentor Zarevski, Predrag].

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Abstract

First objective of this study was to determine whether there were differences in coping with stress among the population of heroin addicts and non-addict population. We conducted self-assessment of different coping strategies, based on Lazarus' Ways of Coping questionnaire. The study was conducted on a sample of two groups of respondents: heroin addicts in treatment in the Hospital of Sisters of Mercy in Zagreb and a control group, which was equalized by relevant demographic characteristics. We conducted factor analysis and extracted 8 basic, 4 secondary and 2 tertiary factors, which are in line with the model of Tobin et al. Research has shown a correlation between addiction and used coping strategies. We have found that the drug addicts used coping strategies that can be called non-adoptive, significantly more (Self-criticism, Wishful thinking, Avoiding problems, Social support and Fatalism). In the same time, addict and non-addict populations use adoptive coping strategies, equally (Personality developing problem solving, Active problem solving and Emotion control / Self-control). In addition, we checked whether there is the impact of perceived possibilities of control over stressful situation to selected ways of coping. We have found that when respondents have theperception of personal influence, more likely to use active coping with stressful situations, while passive coping was not significantly associated with the possibility of control. The data showed that more addicts than non-addicts state that they personally have an influence over the stressful situations, they assessed. The differences in correlation between personal influence and used coping strategy, among addicts and non-addicts, have not proved to be statistically significant.

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