ABSTRACT
A mixed methods study examined the relationship between childhood adversity (ACE) and coping among individuals grouped by perceived impact of ACE in adulthood. Groups did not differ on mean total ACE scores and total ACE score was not associated with any coping strategy. Differences between groups were found in 6 of 14 coping strategies. Planning and active coping were endorsed the most by both groups, despite their being used in significantly different amounts and in different ways. How individuals with ACE rate its impact in their current lives is a significant factor in the use and meaning of coping strategies.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Adult Survivors of Child Abuse/psychology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/complications , Stress, Psychological/psychology , Adult , Aged , Depression/psychology , Female , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Middle Aged , Qualitative Research , Stress, Psychological/etiologyABSTRACT
Spirituality has long been regarded as an important component of recovery from addiction. This article reports the findings of two controlled trials of spiritual direction as an adjunct in addiction treatment. In Study 1, 60 participants were randomly assigned to receive or not receive a 12-session manual-guided spiritual guidance (SG) intervention during and after inpatient treatment, in addition to treatment as usual (TAU). In Study 2, two cohorts of 40 each received TAU without or with SG during their inpatient stay. In both trials, contrary to prediction, SG had no effect on spiritual practices or substance use outcomes at any follow-up point. At the first follow-up in Study 1 only, those randomly assigned to spiritual direction unexpectedly showed significantly less improvement on depression and anxiety, relative to TAU controls. Limitations and implications for treatment are discussed.