Stress reduction interventions for family members of individuals with problematic alcohol use
Keywords:
alcohol-related disorders; family; nursing; psychological stress; psychosocial interventionAbstract
Introduction: Problematic alcohol use has a significant impact on family members, who are chronically exposed to stressors that contribute to psychological stress and strain symptoms. Despite the development of multiple interventions, evidence remains fragmented, particularly in Latin American contexts.
Objective: To analyze and synthesize the scientific evidence on the effects of interventions aimed at reducing stress in family members of individuals with problematic alcohol use.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies published between 2000 and 2025 were identified in PubMed, Scopus, LILACS, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using CASPe, ROB 2, and ROBINS-I. A narrative synthesis of results was performed.
Results: Eighteen studies were included, comprising ten randomized controlled trials and eight quasi-experimental studies. Interventions demonstrated favorable effects in reducing stress and physical and psychological strain symptoms, as well as improvements in coping strategies and perceived social support. Structured, psychoeducational, and cognitive-behavioral interventions showed the most consistent outcomes.
Conclusions: Interventions targeting family members of individuals with problematic alcohol use are effective in reducing stress and strengthening coping resources. These findings support the implementation of structured, non-pharmacological nursing interventions across clinical and community settings.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Saul Obed Benitez Mendiola, Francisco Rafael Guzmán Facundo, Karla Selene López García, Josefina Sarai Candia Arredondo
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