A study of resilience among young adult children of alcoholics in Southern India.

Young Adult Children of Alcoholics (YACOA) are vulnerable to emotional psychopathology. However, some of them remain healthy and lead a productive life despite growing up in adverse circumstances. The present study aims at understanding the relationship between resilience and positive psychological factors among those healthy YACOA. Participants who were identified as YACOA were enrolled from both urban and rural colleges in Karnataka (India). Among them, those who did not report emotional psychopathology were assessed on measures of Resilience, socio-cultural factors (family support, community support, and participation in religious rituals), Self-efficacy and psychological well-being. They were divided into high and low resilience groups based on the median scores. YACOA with high resilience had a significant positive association with cultural factors of resilience whereas YACOA with low resilience had significant positive association with self-efficacy and sub-categories of psychological wellbeing. Binary Logistic Regression analysis found that socio-cultural factors were found to be associated with high resilience among YACOA. This study has recognized the significance of socio-cultural factors and self-acceptance in enhancing resilience among healthy YACOA. These findings offer insights into the interventions for the wellbeing of the YACOA.

Influence of socio-cultural factors on the emotional problems among college going young-adult children of parents with alcoholism: A study from South India.

Young-adult children of parents with alcoholism are vulnerable to anxiety and depression. We studied the prevalence of emotional psychopathology and examined the mediating role of environmental factors (family support, community support and participation in religious rituals) in relation to psychopathology. College students (N = 1555), aged 18-24 years, from urban and rural domicile were screened on Children of Alcoholics Screening Test (CAST) and those who were positive were assessed for emotional psychopathology on Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Young-adult children of alcoholics with emotional psychopathology were compared with those without emotional psychopathology on demographic characteristics, quality of life, and a questionnaire which measured the role of socio-cultural factors. 33% (N = 512) of 1555 participants screened were found to be Young-adult children of alcoholics. Among them, 35% (N = 181) reported experiencing emotional psychopathology. Participants with high emotional psychopathology reported receiving less support from the family (8.44 ± 1.19 vs 9.57 ± 1.26, p = 0.003), community (6.97 ± 1.08 vs 8.88 ± 1.19, p = 0.001); they participated less in religious rituals (5 ± 0.18 vs 6.56 ± 0.41, p = 0.008) compared to those without psychopathology. Quality of life was significantly lower among Young-adult children of alcoholics with emotional psychopathology. A considerable proportion of Young-adult children of alcoholics reported emotional psychopathology and their quality of life was poor. The modifiable socio-cultural factors such as family, community support and participation in religious rituals were associated with emotional psychopathology. A better utilization of these factors may mitigate the burden of emotional psychopathology and improve quality of life in this vulnerable group.

"I take up more responsibilities for my family's wellbeing" - A qualitative approach to the cultural aspects of resilience seen among young adults in Bengaluru, India.

Resilience refers to the pursuit of positive in the face of adversity. The present study using qualitative methods aimed to identify culture-specific factors linked to resilience. Participants, (N=31, aged 16-24 years) whose parents were being treated for chronic medical conditions or psychiatric disorders at St John's Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru, were studied using Focused group discussion and In-depth interviews. Using the 'Grounded theory' approach, two major themes were identified as important factors influencing resilience: (1) Family and socially defined roles/responsibilities and in particular adherence to traditionally defined social responsibilities. (2) Participation in rituals and experiencing spirituality. Application and relevance of these themes in promoting resilience among young vulnerable adults are discussed.

Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Intervention Reduces Intimate Partner Violence Among Alcohol Dependent Men, and Improves Mental Health Outcomes in their Spouses: A Clinic Based Randomized Controlled Trial from South India.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Alcohol abuse has been associated with intimate partner violence (IPV). The current study examined the effectiveness of an integrated cognitive-behavioral intervention (ICBI) in reducing intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration among alcohol dependent men, and improving mental health outcomes among their wives and children. METHODS: One hundred seventy-seven alcohol dependent male inpatients who screened positive for IPV perpetration in the last 6 months were randomly assigned to receive ICBI which addressed both the alcohol use and IPV (n=88), or TAU (TAU: treatment as usual) (n=89). The ICBI sessions were attended by the patients alone. All patients and their spouses were followed up over 3 months following discharge from the treatment centre. RESULTS: Compared to TAU participants in the ICBI group reported significantly lower IPV perpetration, and their wives scored significantly lower on depression, anxiety, and stress levels at 3-month follow up. Alcohol consumption in the men and emotional and behavioral problems in their children were not significantly different between the groups, from baseline to follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of an ICBI which addressed both the IPV and alcohol use in a coordinated manner in a vulnerable sample.

Two sides of a coin: Perpetrators and survivors perspectives on the triad of alcohol, intimate partner violence and mental health in South India.

The present study explored the intersection among alcohol consumption, gender roles, intimate partner violence (IPV) and mental health from the perspective of heavy drinking men who also perpetrate IPV (perpetrators) and their spouses (survivors). Interpretive phenomenological approach was used, and in-depth interviews were conducted with adult married heavy drinking men who reported to have perpetrated IPV (N=10) and their spouses (N=10). These interviews were audio-recorded, and salient themes were generated using the NVivo software. Findings indicated a deeply embedded association among alcohol consumption, IPV, and mental health, with culturally sanctioned gender norms strongly contributing to this association. There was evidence for anxiety and depression in the survivors and emotional-behavioural and academic difficulties in their children. The study provides valuable insight into the intersecting problems of alcohol and IPV, which independently and together signify an emergent public health problem that can have immense ramifications on mental health of individuals and families.