Mental Health Challenges Faced by the Wives of Alcohol-Dependent Individuals in Chennai City

Authors

  • Dr. K. Emmanuel Founder, Social Doctors Foundation, Chennai, India
  • Dr. Sahithyaa Raghu Research Assistant, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, India
  • Rahab Yachat Kwaja Founder- Help the Aged Initiative, Nigeria
  • P. Nancy Founder, Social Doctors’ Enunciation Sphere, Chennai, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59436/jsiane.287.2583-2093

Keywords:

Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Alcoholism & De-addiction

Abstract

This study examines the psychological problems experienced by the wives of alcoholics in Chennai City, focusing on depression, anxiety, and stress. Using the DASS-42 scale, a widely recognized tool for assessing these psychological dimensions, the research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mental health challenges faced by this demographic. Data was collected from 11 De-addiction centers across Chennai, utilizing a multi-stage probability sampling technique to ensure a representative sample of the affected population. The study highlights the significant psychological burden borne by the wives of alcoholics, as evidenced by elevated scores on the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale. The findings indicate that these women experience high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, which are compounded by the challenging circumstances associated with their spouses' alcohol dependence. The use of the DASS-42 scale allowed for a nuanced assessment of these psychological issues, revealing the profound impact of alcoholism on the mental health of their wives. The multi-stage probability sampling technique employed ensured that the sample was both diverse and representative of the broader population of wives affected by alcoholism in Chennai City. This methodological approach provided a robust dataset, enabling a thorough analysis of the psychological impact of living with an alcoholic spouse. The results underscore the need for targeted psychological support and intervention for this vulnerable group, highlighting the importance of addressing their mental health needs within the broader context of addiction treatment and support services. Overall, this study contributes valuable insights into the psychological challenges faced by the wives of alcoholics and underscores the necessity for specialized support mechanisms to address their mental health needs effectively.

References

Benegal, V. (2005). India: Alcohol and public health. Addiction, 100(8), 1051-1056. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2005.01176.x

Gupta, R., et al. (2020). Alcohol use and its societal impact in India. Journal of Public Health, 42(3), 458-465.

John, P., & Jacob, K. (2019). Domestic violence and mental health in Tamil Nadu. Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry, 35(1), 56-64.

Kumar, P., & Devi, N. (2021). Marital stress and psychological distress among wives of alcohol dependents: A Chennai-based study. Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry, 37(4), 332–340.

Manoharan, S., et al. (2022). Stigma and barriers to mental health services in Chennai. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 68, 102907.

Mohan, R., & Shankar, A. (2018). Exploring the mental health challenges among wives of alcoholics in Chennai: A longitudinal study. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 54, 71–79.

National Family Health Survey-5. (2021). India Fact Sheet.

O’Farrell, T. J., & Clements, K. (2012). Review of outcomes in family treatment for alcohol use disorders. Addiction, 107(3), 1561-1576.

Pradeep, R., et al. (2021). Alcohol consumption trends in Tamil Nadu. Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 46(1), 89-93.

Rajendran, K., & Deepa, S. (2020). Psychological impact of alcoholism in families in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu Medical Journal, 9(2), 66-72.

Rajendran, K., & Deepa, S. (2020). Psychological impact of spousal alcohol dependence. Journal of Mental Health Research in Tamil Nadu, 12(2), 78-89.

Rajendran, K., & Nair, S. (2020). Effects of alcoholism on family dynamics and psychological health: Insights from Chennai. South Asian Journal of Psychology, 5(1), 45–59.

Ravi, S., & Sharma, R. (2019). Psychological impact of alcoholism on women in Chennai: An empirical study. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 43, 10–16.

Rehm, J., et al. (2017). Global burden of alcohol use disorders and alcohol consumption. The Lancet Psychiatry, 4(11), 987-995.

Room, R., et al. (2010). Alcohol and the family: A public health perspective. Addiction Research & Theory, 18(3), 214-228.

Singh, S., & Ghosh, A. (2022). Impact of spousal alcoholism on psychological well-being: A study in Chennai. Journal of Clinical Psychology.

Sundaram, V., et al. (2018). Politics of alcohol consumption in Tamil Nadu. Economic and Political Weekly, 35(2), 25-34.

Sundaram, V., et al. (2018). TASMAC and the politics of alcohol in Tamil Nadu. Economic and Political Weekly, 53(35), 45-53.

WHO. (2021). Global status report on alcohol and health. World Health Organization.

World Health Organization. (2021). Mental health atlas. World Health Organization.

Kumar, P., & Devi, N. (2021). "Marital Stress and Psychological Distress among Wives of Alcohol Dependents: A Chennai-Based Study." Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry, 37(4), 332- 340.

Ravi, S., & Sharma, R. (2019). "Psychological Impact of Alcoholism on Women in Chennai: An Empirical Study." Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 43, 10-16.

Mohan, R., & Shankar, A. (2018). "Exploring the Mental Health Challenges Among Wives of Alcoholics in Chennai: A Longitudinal Study." Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 54, 71-79.

Downloads

Published

2024-12-30

How to Cite

Mental Health Challenges Faced by the Wives of Alcohol-Dependent Individuals in Chennai City. (2024). Journal of Science Innovations and Nature of Earth, 4(4), 68-74. https://doi.org/10.59436/jsiane.287.2583-2093

Similar Articles

11-20 of 76

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.