A Descriptive Study to Assess Depression and Codependency Among Wives of Alcoholics in a Selected Rural Community of Gurdaspur, Punjab

The extent of alcoholism is very grave, which calls for immediate attention from the society and health professionals as alcohol related problems cost heavily for family and form a major public health problem. They not only effect the individual but also the one who surrounds him and involved with person in form of personal relationship. The wives who do not drink but are victimized by chemical abuse, are called codependents. Codependency is an unconscious addiction to another person's abnormal behavior which effects badly adaptation skills of wives of alcoholics resulting in depression and various marital problems. Statement of problem: A Descriptive Study to assess Depression and Codependency among Wives of Alcoholics in a selected Rural Community of Gurdaspur, Punjab. Objectives of study: To assess the level of depression among wives of alcoholics. 1. To assess the level of codependency among wives of alcoholics. 2. To ascertain the correlation between codependency and depression among wives of alcoholics. 3. To determine the association of codependency and depression among wives of alcoholics with selected socio-demographic variables.4. To prepare and distribute the guidelines on prevention of codependency and depression among wives of alcoholics. Method: The aim of the study is to combat with codependency and depression among wives of alcoholics by preparing and distributing guidelines for prevention of codependency and depression. The present study assesses the level of depression and codependency among wives of alcoholics in village Saroopwali Kalan of district Gurdaspur, Punjab. Total Enumerative sampling technique was followed to select sample. Level of depression was assessed by Modified Zung Self- Rating Depression Scale and level of codependency was measured by Modified Span Fisher Codependency Assessment Scale. Result: The results showed that among 212 wives of alcoholics, majority (32.1%) were having mild depression level whereas majorities (72.2%) were having medium level of codependency. Pearson's coefficient of correlation showed positive (r=+0.763) correlation between codependency and depression. ANOVA was applied to assess association of codependency and depression with selected socio-demographic variables Age, occupation, monthly family income, number of year of marriage, number of children were found associated with level of codependency and depression whereas number of years of alcohol dependence of partner was found associated with codependency only at p<0.05. Conclusion: Pearson's coefficient of correlation showed positive (r=+0.763) correlation between codependency and depression.