Coping Styles and Alcohol Dependence among Homeless People.
OBJECTIVE
The ways in which homeless individuals cope with stress may differ from those relied upon by the members of the general population and these differences may either be the result or the cause of their living conditions. The aim of the study was to determine the preferred coping style among the homeless and its relationship with alcohol dependence.


METHODS
The study included 78 homeless individuals and involved the collection of demographic, sociological, psychological and medical data from each participant. Coping styles relied upon when dealing with stressful situations were assessed using a Polish adaptation of the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations. Alcohol dependence was assessed using the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) and a quantitative analysis of alcohol consumption.


RESULTS
Men accounted for 91.93% of the study population. Nearly 75% of the subjects met the alcohol dependence criterion. Significant relationships were observed between the individual's age, preferred coping style and alcohol consumption level. As an individual's age increased, the use of emotion-oriented coping styles decreased, while an increase in alcohol consumption was associated with a more frequent use of emotion- and avoidance-oriented strategies.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study, similarly to those of many other studies of homeless individuals but investigating other areas (e.g. epidemiology of tuberculosis and traumatic injuries), are an exaggerated representation of associations observed in the general population. The results describe a group of people living on the margins of the society, often suffering from extremely advanced alcoholism, with clear evident psychodegradation. The presence of specific ways of coping with stress related to excessive alcohol consumption in this group of individuals may interfere with active participation in support programmes provided for the homeless and may further exacerbate their problems.
Faculty of Theology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Kard. Hozjusza 15, 11-041 Olsztyn, Poland.
Cezary
C
Opalach
Department of Family Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Warszawska 30, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland.
Jerzy
J
Romaszko
Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, ul. M. Curie Skłodowskiej 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
Marcin
M
Jaracz
Municipal Social Welfare Centre in Olsztyn, ul. Towarowa 18, 10-417 Olsztyn,Poland.
Robert
R
Kuchta
Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, ul. M. Curie Skłodowskiej 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
Alina
A
Borkowska
Department of Biopharmacy, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, ul. A. Jurasza 2, 85-089 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
Adam
A
Buciński
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires