Abstract Background: Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) pose significant public health challenges, profoundly affecting family members, particularly spouses, due to emotional, social, and psychological strain. Wives of alcohol-dependent individuals frequently experience mood and anxiety disorders, reduced marital satisfaction, and compromised quality of life (QoL). Addressing these issues can enhance coping, improve well-being, and positively influence treatment outcomes for patients. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among spouses of AUD patients and its association with marital satisfaction and QoL. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Faridkot after ethical approval. Couples meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria provided informed consent. Alcohol dependence severity in male patients was assessed using the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ). Spouses were evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMSS), and World Health Organization QOL (WHOQOL-BREF). Data were analyzed for the degree of psychiatric morbidity and correlations with marital satisfaction and QoL. Results: Among patients, 51% had moderate alcohol dependence. Spouses exhibited predominantly mild depression (60%) and anxiety (45%). Severity of depression and anxiety significantly correlated with husbands’ alcohol dependence ( P < 0.001). KMSS scores demonstrated a strong negative correlation with SADQ ( r = −0.804, P < 0.001). WHOQOL-BREF domain scores were highest in spouses of mildly dependent patients and lowest in the severe group, with environmental health showing the strongest negative correlation ( r = −0.722, P < 0.001). Psychiatric morbidity negatively correlated with both marital satisfaction and all QoL domains ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: AUDs significantly impair spouses’ mental health, marital satisfaction, and QoL. Integrating family-centered interventions in AUD management is crucial to reduce burden and improve outcomes.
Arora et al. (Wed,) studied this question.