Transcultural comparison of Symptom Rating Test (SRT) in women coping with an addiction problem in the family

The purpose of this study was to test the factorial validity of the Symptom Rating Test (SRT) on women (mothers and wives of alcohol and drug users) coping with alcohol and drug use in a close relative (n=155). The purpose was to develop a common model of symptoms that would serve as the basis for establishing comparative analyses based on variables such as type of relationship with the drug user and country. This article is part of a broader transcultural study on family and addictions, carried out simultaneously in Mexico City and Southeast England. The overall sample in the two countries consisted of 200 families from both countries. The original methodology has been broadly described in previous studies. Half the sample came from specialized drug treatment centers, while the other half was drawn from the community population. The criteria for inclusion were as follows: a) Alcohol and/or drug use of a son, daughter or spouse during the six months prior to the interviews; b) Display of concern over active alcohol and/ or drug consumption of close relative (of either sex). Evidence was found of the validity and consistence of the symptom rating test, which included thirteen items (alpha=.93) and consists of two sub-scales of physical and psychological symptoms (X-2 = 64.6 64 gl, p= 0.053). Variance analysis showed one main effect for the sub-scale of physical symptoms: Mexican women were more likely to somatize an addiction problem than English women (F=4.930. gl(1/155), p <=.05) and the interaction between the type of relationship and the country was also significant (F=6.327, gl(1/155), p <.05). On the basis of die above, the implications of this study, for future research are to increase the evidence of the factorial structure on the 13-item symptom scale in which different sociocultural groups are considered, for instance, to explore how the male relatives of drug users express their symptoms. On the other hand, it is very important to consider the differences about type of drug and trajectory of use, between the rural and urban population, in order to identify the communalities and differences regarding symptoms and their meanings. This can be achieved by using complementary qualitative methodologies, in order to have more sensitive measurements and to establish standards of transcultural comparison that will enable to promote comparative studies.