Regular article Social adjustment of family members and significant others (FSOs) of drug users $ Clifton R. Hudson, M.Ed. a , Kimberly C. Kirby, Ph.D. b, *, Monica L. Firely, M.A. c , David S. Festinger, Ph.D. b , Douglas B. Marlowe, J.D., Ph.D. b a Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA b Treatment Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA c MCP Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA Received 9 October 2001; received in revised form 1 March 2002; accepted 9 March 2002 Abstract This study investigated the social adjustment of female family members and significant others (FSOs) of illicit drug users in order to gain insight into the impact of drug use upon those close to the user. Using the Social Adjustment Scale-Self Report (SAS-SR), we examined the social adjustment self-ratings (overall and in seven specific role areas) of 41 female partners and 24 mothers of drug users. We compared these ratings to the ratings they reported for their drug-using partners or children, to each other, and to self-ratings drawn from community comparison samples. As expected, results showed that the female FSOs reported significantly better social adjustment than the drug users in most role areas. However, their social adjustment was compromised relative to the community samples. Partners of drug users reported poorer adjustment than parents of drug users overall and in the specific areas of marital and economic functioning. Further inquiry is needed to improve our understanding of the impact of drug use on the users’ family members. D 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved. Keywords: Social adjustment; Social functioning; Family members; Drug abuse; Women 1. Introduction Systematic research with family members and significant others (FSOs) of illicit drug users is sparse, despite acknowledgment in both professional and lay literature that drug addiction affects the entire family (e.g., Al-Anon, 1971; Gold, 1993; Wolock & Magura, 1996). Much of what we know about the FSOs of substance users is generalized from studies on alcoholism, even though there are differ- ences between the use of alcohol and that of illicit drugs that might alter the impact of the drug use upon the user’s family (Velleman et al., 1993). An example of such differences is the higher likelihood of criminal involvement among drug users. The impact of these differences upon family members is as yet unknown. FSOs of alcoholics have been found to experience unique and extensive physical, behavioral, and psychological prob- lems (Moos & Moos, 1984). These include increased prevalence of illness and domestic violence, deterioration of the relationship with the drinker, reduced family cohe- sion, increased interpersonal conflict and stress, and decreased psychological and social adjustment (Billings, Kessler, Gomberg, & Weiner, 1979; Cronkite & Moos, 1980; Filstead, 1981; Finney, Moos, Cronkite, & Gamble, 1983; Fitzgerald, Davies, Zucker, & Klinger, 1994; Haver & Jacob, 1997; Hirschfeld, Kosier, Keller, Lavori, & Endicott, 1989; Jacob, Krahn, & Leonard, 1991; James & Goldman, 1971; Montgomery & Johnson, 1992; Moos, Bromet, Tsu, 0740-5472/02/$ – see front matter D 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved. PII:S0740-5472(02)00245-3 $ Editor’s Note: We assure readers that all articles published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment have been reviewed by experienced, impartial reviewers. To obtain the most candid and constructive critiques, we assure reviewers that their identities will not be revealed to authors. In the case of this article — one involving the Editor-in-Chief of JSAT and close colleagues — Barry S. Brown, Ph.D., Associate Executive Editor of JSAT , handled the review process and has kept reviewers anonymous. Anonymous review will continue to be the policy of JSAT , and all such articles involving the Editor-in-Chief of JSAT — or close colleagues of the Editor-in-Chief — will be subject to this policy and procedure. We acknowledge Dr. Brown and thank him for his efforts to improve the integrity and quality of review for the journal. * Corresponding author. Treatment Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, 600 Public Ledger Bldg., 150 S. Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3475, USA. Tel.: +1-215-399-0980; fax: +1-215- 399-0987. E-mail address: kkirby@tresearch.org (K.C. Kirby). Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 23 (2002) 171 – 181