Joseph Akhil P, Babu Anithamol, Prakash L T Om
Department of Sociology and Social Work, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, IND.
School of Social Work, Marian College Kuttikkanam Autonomous, Kuttikkanam, IND.
Cureus. 2024 Apr 2;16(4):e57461. doi: 10.7759/cureus.57461. eCollection 2024 Apr.
The issue of alcohol use disorder (AUD) has received significant attention, with a primary focus on individuals directly afflicted by the disorder. This extensive focus, while necessary, often overlooks the profound impact that AUD has on the family unit, particularly on spouses who play a crucial role in the dynamics of coping and recovery. However, the psychosocial and emotional challenges encountered by wives of those with AUD have been largely neglected in both research and therapeutic interventions. This oversight not only minimizes their suffering but also overlooks their potential contribution to the recovery process, underscoring the need for a more inclusive approach to understanding and addressing AUD. Building upon this foundation, the current study delves into the less explored terrain of the psychosocial and emotional ramifications borne by wives of individuals suffering from AUD. By highlighting the pivotal role that these women fulfil in family dynamics, it seeks to shed light on the transformative effects of their engagement in support groups, aiming to demonstrate how these networks promote resilience, empowerment, and healing for both the women and their families, thus offering a more comprehensive perspective on AUD's impact on society. Employing a qualitative narrative research design, the study utilized purposive sampling to select 36 participants from the northern, southern, and central regions of Kerala, India. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews, conducted initially in the local language, were transcribed into English and analyzed using the constant comparative method, ensuring that ethical considerations were upheld throughout the research process. The results of the study illuminate the multifaceted challenges faced by wives of individuals with AUD, including financial burdens, domestic violence, marital discord, and psychosocial issues. Notably, the participants reported a significant positive shift in their lives following their involvement in support groups, experiencing enhanced mental peace and tranquillity. This transformation enabled some participants to resume their education, engage with the community as role models and leaders, and reconstruct their lives. Most participants viewed their support group participation as a pivotal moment of hope restoration in their lives. The study reveals the necessity for integrating culturally sensitive support mechanisms into rehabilitation programs for families affected by AUD, advocating for broader adoption of support groups that cater to the specific sociocultural dynamics of affected communities.
酒精使用障碍（AUD）问题已受到广泛关注，主要聚焦于直接受该障碍影响的个体。这种广泛关注虽有必要，但往往忽视了AUD对家庭单元的深远影响，尤其是对在应对和康复过程中起关键作用的配偶的影响。然而，AUD患者妻子所面临的心理社会和情感挑战在研究及治疗干预中大多被忽视。这种忽视不仅淡化了她们的痛苦，还忽略了她们对康复过程的潜在贡献，凸显了采用更具包容性的方法来理解和应对AUD的必要性。基于此，本研究深入探讨了AUD患者妻子所面临的心理社会和情感影响这一较少被探索的领域。通过强调这些女性在家庭动态中所起的关键作用，旨在揭示她们参与支持小组所带来的变革性影响，旨在展示这些网络如何促进女性及其家庭的恢复力、赋权和康复，从而提供关于AUD对社会影响的更全面视角。该研究采用定性叙事研究设计，通过目的抽样从印度喀拉拉邦的北部、南部和中部地区选取了36名参与者。数据收集通过使用半结构化访谈指南进行深入访谈来完成。访谈最初用当地语言进行，随后转录为英语，并采用持续比较法进行分析，确保在整个研究过程中遵循伦理考量。研究结果揭示了AUD患者妻子所面临的多方面挑战，包括经济负担、家庭暴力、婚姻不和以及心理社会问题。值得注意的是，参与者报告称，参与支持小组后，她们的生活发生了显著的积极转变，心理更加平静安宁。这种转变使一些参与者能够继续接受教育，作为榜样和领导者参与社区活动，并重建自己的生活。大多数参与者将参与支持小组视为她们生活中恢复希望的关键时刻。该研究表明，有必要将具有文化敏感性的支持机制纳入受AUD影响家庭的康复计划，倡导更广泛地采用适合受影响社区特定社会文化动态的支持小组。
