Family Burden, Coping Behaviour and Co-dependency of Wives of Alcohol Dependents

Alcohol dependence is a medical and psychosocial illness which affects the alcohol dependents and his family especially the spouses. The spouses of male alcohol dependents undergo stress and show significant psychological problems. The aim of the study is to assess family burden, coping behaviour and co-dependency of wives of alcohol dependents. The sample consisted of 31 spouses of alcohol dependents. The wives of alcohol dependents meet DSM-IV criteria. The sample was selected from among alcohol dependents at out-patient and in-patient departments of Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai. Purposive sampling method was used as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Symptom-Check List90, Social Support Questionnaire, Burden Assessment Schedule, Coping with Drinking and Co-Dependency Assessment were assessed. Out of 31 wives of alcohol dependents, 19 were found to be having co-dependency. They had poor social support and experienced high family burden and poor family environment. They had maladaptive coping behaviour, such as discord, indulgence, competition, avoidance, sexual withdrawal and fearful reactions. They experienced co-dependent features of fear, shame, rage, impaired identity and confusion