Abstract :
Background: Spouse alcohol abuse is known to cause mental distress in their intimate partners. Behaviors exhibited by alcohol abusers are known to affect the lives of their wives adversely. Spouses of alcoholics are more likely to experience victimization, mood disorders, and ill-health.
Aim: To evaluate anxiety and depression among working women with alcohol-dependent spouse compared to those with alcohol non-dependent spouse.
Materials and Methods: Married working women were recruited for the study and inquired about the history of alcohol abuse in their spouse using the Family CAGE-AID questionnaire. The subjects were grouped into those whose spouse is alcohol dependent, and those whose spouse is alcohol non-dependent.
The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to measure anxiety and depression.
Statistical analysis: Statistical analysis was done using SPSSsoftware version 21. The level of significance was set at P
Results: The total sample consisted of 56 participants, of which women whose spouse is alcohol dependent are 26 (group 1), and women whose spouse is alcohol non-dependent are 30 (group 2). The present study reveals that women whose spouse is alcohol dependent spouses had significantly higher anxiety (P
Conclusion: Consumption of alcohol affects not only the individual who is alcohol dependent but their spouses as well. Stress, mood, anxiety, and general health problems of the spouses of alcoholics should be addressed during management.
Keyword :
Anxiety, Depression, Spouse alcohol dependence.