Situational analysis of coping in substance-abusing patients

A recently revised version of the Situational Competency Test (SCTDR), a tape-recorded role-play assessment procedure, was used to evaluate situational specificity of coping in hospitalized substance-abusing patients (N = 24). Responses to six types of high-risk situations were scored according to coping method used (active cognitive, active behavioral, avoidance, help-seeking) and objective response parameters (latency, duration, specification, compliance). Additionally, patterns of past drug use and self-efficacy were evaluated for situational variability and association with coping response measures. Findings revealed that the situational profiles for each of the four coping methods were distinct, and that each coping method was used differentially across high-risk situations. Objective scoring dimensions demonstrated patterns of situational specificity, for example, subjects' responses in situations involving unpleasant emotions were more delayed, shorter, and less specific than in other types of high-risk situations. Heavy past drug use and low self-efficacy were significantly related to latency in responding. These findings are consistent with previous studies in which substance abusers' coping was shown to be at least partially dependent on situational parameters.