title: The explanatory models and coping strategies for alcohol use disorders: an exploratory qualitative study from India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The explanatory models (EM) and coping strategies for mental health problems influence treatment seeking and the subsequent patient journey. The goal of this study was to explore the EMs and coping strategies for alcohol use disorders (AUD).
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted semi structured interviews with 29 men with AUD and 10 significant others (SO) in two sites in India. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The former were predominantly married, literate and employed; the latter were predominantly wives, literate and employed. Alcohol consumption and AUDs are seen to be mainly associated with psychosocial stress, with other factors being peer influences, availability of disposable income and drinking for pleasure. They are perceived to result in a range of adverse impacts on social life, family life, personal health and family finances. Various coping strategies were deployed by men with AUD and their significant others, for example avoidance, substitution, distraction, religious activities, support from AA/friends/family, restricting means to buy alcohol and anger management. Reduction/cessation in drinking, improved family relationships, improved emotional/physical wellbeing and better occupational functioning were the most desired treatment outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are considerable similarities, as well as some key differences, observed between the EMs for AUD in India and those reported from other cultures which have implications for the global applicability and contextual adaptations of evidence based interventions for AUD.
authors: London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK; Sangath, Porvorim, Goa 403521, India. Electronic address: Abhijit.nadkarni@lshtm.ac.uk.
authors: Abhijit
authors: A
authors: Nadkarni
authors: Hamid
authors: H
authors: Dabholkar
authors: Jim
authors: J
authors: McCambridge
authors: Bhargav
authors: B
authors: Bhat
authors: Shuba
authors: S
authors: Kumar
authors: Rani
authors: R
authors: Mohanraj
authors: Pratima
authors: P
authors: Murthy
authors: Vikram
authors: V
authors: Patel
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D057181:Pleasure; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Alcohol use disorder; Coping strategy; Explanatory model; India