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This study sought to de-scribefactors associatedwith adap-tive coping by family members with a psychiatrically disabled relative. A total of 225 f amily members ofpersons with serious mental illness were interviewed. Hierarchical regression analysis using five variables that may have contributed to adaptive coping was conducted. The five fac-tors were demographic characteristics ofthefamily member, severity of the relative’s illness, the family member’s subjective burden and grief social support, and personal coping resources(self-efficacy and mastery). More extensive adaptive coping was associated with increased social support as measured by the density ofthe social network, the extent of affirming social support, and participa-tion in a support group for families. Better coping was also associated with a greater sense of self-ef-ficacy in dealing with the relative’s mental illness. Adaptive coping was not associated with the severity oftbe relative’s illness. Conclusigns: The findings suggest that mental health professionals should encourage family members to use the support provided by commu-nity-based support groups and to f orm such groups: fnone are available.(Psychiatric Services 46: 1156-1160, 1995)