Dysfunctional Cognition and the Mental Health of Substance Abusers' Family Members.

Substance abusers' family members tend to have a unique dysfunctional cognition, which may affect mental health. Objectives: This study investigated dysfunctional cognition's effects on mental health in a sample of substance abusers' family members. Methods: A survey questionnaire was completed twice to obtain data on mental illness, wellbeing, and dysfunctional cognition. A hierarchical linear regression analysis tested the relationships net of the effects of control variables. Results: Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that dysfunctional cognition affected mental illness, but not wellbeing. Conclusion: Cognitive dysfunction should be incorporated into interventions to support the mental health of substance abusers' family members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]