Stress and Coping among the Wives of Alcoholics Admitted in Selected De-Addiction Centers

Alcoholism is one of the major health and social problems all over the world. The study on Global burden of disease identified alcohol use as one of the global risk factors, accounting for 1.5% of all deaths in the world and 3.5% of disability adjusted life years and 4.0% of the global burden of disease.

Aims and Objectives: Assess the stress among the wives of alcoholics. Assess the level of coping among the wives of alcoholics. Determine the association between level of stress and coping among wives of alcoholics and their selected personal variables admitted in selected de-addiction centers of Mysore District.

Design: A descriptive survey design to assess the level of stress And coping of wives of alcoholics admitted in selected de-addiction centers of Mysore District.

Samples and Sampling technique: Non-probability convenience sampling technique was adopted for data collection from 60 wives of alcoholics admitted in selected de-addiction centres of Mysore District. Tools: Data was collected with the help of following tools; the perceived stress scale, ways of coping scale.

Results: Data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics, The mean wives of alcoholics stress score was 27.38 whereas the scores ranged from 21-33 and the median score was 28 with a standard deviation of ± 2.96147, the mean score of ways of coping was 101.88 whereas the scores ranged from 68-136 and the median score was 102.5 with a standard deviation of ± 15.18876. The study findings showed that 100% of the wives of alcoholics were having moderate level of stress (20-39), whereas 0% of them were having mild stress and severe stress. Where as in ways of coping 98.33% of them were having able to cope to some extent (67-132). Whereas 1.66% able to cope effectively (133-198) and 0% not able to cope (0-66). Chi-square was computed to find the association between the variables and the selected personal variables, the results revealed that wives of alcoholics stress had significant association with age (χ²₍₄₎= 10.67) and designation (χ² ₍₂₎=9.61) at 0.05 levels of significance. Chi-square was computed to find the association between perceived stress and selected personal variables, the findings was revealed only age had significant association with perceived stress (χ²₍₃₎= 8.67) at 0.05 level of significance. The chi-square was computed to find the association between the ways of coping and their personal variables. The significant association was found among type of family (χ²₍₁₎=5.455) , duration of marital life (χ²₍₃₎=9.831), any other substance abuse (χ²₍₂₎=6.922), at 0.05 level.

Conclusion: Research needs to focus on the impact of stress and coping on health a nurse plays a pivotal role both in hospital and community setting in improving the health of the Individual. Innovative approaches in this field have to be initiated in nursing.