Assessing Depression and Quality of Life among Spouses of Persons Suffering from Alcohol Dependence Syndrome
Author(s): Nithya Damodara and S Nambi*
Abstract
Alcoholism also called as alcohol dependence syndrome is defined as a cluster of physiological, behavioral, and cognitive phenomena in which the use of a substance or class of substances takes on a much higher priority for a given individual than other behaviors that once had greater value. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic multi systemic disease highly prevalent in India. It not only affects the person, but also the family members also who are burdened with the care- giving process of this disorder. The care- giving process for patients with diabetes mellitus is a complex one. It involves not only providing emotional support, but also practical arrangements like procuring and dispensing medications, monitoring blood glucose levels, helping in the management of the complications, and accompanying the patient for the requisite appointments. The spouses of persons with diabetes may feel stressed out, which might reflect in the care - giver having a poorer quality of life and symptoms of depression and psychological distress. The present study finds that the quality of life is poor in both the groups and is significantly poorer in wives of patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome. The physical quality of life and psychological quality of life is impaired in spouses of alcohol dependence syndrome persons compared to spouses of diabetes persons. The quality of life is significantly associated with the depression in both the groups.