Based on the results of a self-administered questionnaire completed by 107 wives of physicians in a rural central California county, this exploratory study examines dimensions of the physician's work and family life associated with excessive use of alcohol. Avoiding the bias of the use of a treatment population, the study seeks to analyze the factors that are predictive of alcohol impairment in physicians' living and practicing in rural areas where role strain is increased. The stress theory's role in explaining alcohol abuse is explored. Several variables associated with increased probability of impairment are identified, including poor relationships with in-laws, extramarital affairs, the intrusion of business into family life, and excessive drinking by one's spouse. Further studies with larger samples are needed to elaborate on and confirm these initial findings.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AranaG.1982The Impaired Physician: A Medical and Social Dilemma, General Hospital Psychiatry, V.4:147–154.
2.
BissellL.JonesR.W.1976The Alcoholic Physician: A Survey, American Journal of Psychiatry, V. 133, No. 10 (October):1142–1146.
3.
BrewsterJ.M.1985Prevalence of Alcohol and Other Drug Problems Among Physicians, JAMA, V. 255, No. 14 (April 11):1913–1920.
4.
CovingtonS.S.KohenJ.1984Women, Alcohol and Sexuality. In StimmelBarry (ed.) Cultural and Sociological Aspects of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. Bingingham, New York: Haworth Press.
5.
CroogS.H.1970The Family as a Source of Stress. In LevineS.ScotchN.A. (eds.), Social Stress: 19–53, Chicago, Illinois: Aldine.
6.
DavisL.M.1982Preventing Physician Burn-Out, or Physician, Heal Thyself. The Journal of the Indiana State Medical Association, V. 75, No. 4 (April):246–247.
7.
DohrenwendB.S.DohrenwendB.P.1970Class and Race as Status-Related Sources of Stress. In LevineS.ScotchN.A. (eds.), Social Stress: 111–140. Chicago, Illinois: Aldine.
8.
EinsteinS.1983Stress and Drug Use, International Journal of the Addictions, V. 18, No. 6:iii–v.
9.
FinneyJ.W.MoosR.H.CronkiteR.C.GambleW.1983A Conceptual Model of the Functioning of Married Persons with Impaired Partners: Spouses of Alcoholic Patients. Journal of Marriage and the Family, (February): 23–34.
10.
GlickIra D.1983Family Therapy for the Impaired Physician. In ScheiberStephen C.DoyleBrian B., (eds.), The Impaired Physician: 97–108, New York: Plenum Medical Book Co.
11.
GriswoldD.1982Addiction and Maryland's Medical Families. Maryland State Medical Journal, V. 31, No. 6 (June):30–31.
12.
GrossE.1970Work, Organization and Stress. In LevineS.ScotchN.A. (eds.), Social Stress:54–110, Chicago, Illinois: Aldine.
13.
HingsonR.ManzioneT.BarrettJ.1981Job Characteristics and Drinking Practices in the Boston Metropolitan Area, Journal of Studies on Alcohol, V. 42, No. 9:725–738.
14.
HolmesT.H.RaheR.H.1967The Social Readjustment Rating Scale, Journal of Psychosomatic Research, V. 11:213–218.
15.
HorstmanW.McKusickL.1986The Impact of AIDS on the Physician. In McKusickL. (ed.), What to do about AIDS:62–74, Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
16.
JohnstonG.P.1981The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword: Some Dangers of Script Writing. The Journal of the Indiana State Medical Association, V. 74, No. 7, July:428–429.
17.
KeeveJ.P.1984Physicians At Risk: Some Epidemiologic Considerations of Alcoholism, Drug Abuse, and Suicide. Journal of Occupational Medicine, V. 26, No. 7 (July):503–508.
18.
LemertE.M.1960The Occurrence and Sequence of Events in the Adjustment of Families to Alcoholism. Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, V. 21:679–697.
MaslachChristina1984Personal Strategies for Managing Burnout. In ThoresonRichard W.HosokawaElizabeth P. (eds.), Employee Assistance Programs in Higher Education:159–168, Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.
21.
McAuliffeW.E.RohmanM.WechslerH.1984Alcohol, Substance Use, and Other Risk-Factors of Impairment in a Sample of Physicians-In-Training. Alcohol and Substance Abuse, V.4, No. 2 (Winter):67–87.
22.
Medical World News1986Primary Care MDs Top State's Addiction Roll. Medical World News. (May 15):9–10.
23.
MidanikL.1983Familial Alcoholism and Problem Drinking in a National Drinking Practices Survey. Addictive Behaviors, V.8:133–141.
24.
ModlinH.C.MontesA.1964Narcotics Addiction in Physicians. American Journal of Psychiatry, V. 121:353–365.
25.
MorrowC.K.1982Sick Doctors: The Social Construction of Professional Deviance. Social Problems, V. 30, No. 1 (October):92–108.
26.
MurrayR.M.1981The Medical Profession. In HoreBrian D.PlantMartin A. (eds.), Alcohol Problems in Employment:61–76, London: Billing and Sons, Limited.
27.
NeffJ.A.HusainiB.A.1982Life Events, Drinking Patterns and Depressive Symptomatology. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, V. 43, No. 3:301–318.
28.
NeffJ.A.HusainiB.A.1985Stress-Buffer Properties of Alcohol Consumption: The Role of Urbanicity and Religious Identification. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, V. 26 (September):207–222.
29.
OB-Gyn News1986Urges MDs to Spend More Time Playing. OB-Gyn News, March 15–31:14.
30.
PearlinL.I.RadabaughC.W.1976Economic Strains and the Coping Functions of Alcohol. American Journal of Sociology, V. 82, No. 3:652–663.
31.
PlantM.A.1981Drugs in Perspective. London: Hodder and Stoughton.
32.
RobertsonJ.J., (ed.) 1978Medical Marriages and Impairment. The Impaired Physician: Proceedings of the Third AMA Conference on the Impaired Physician (September 29 - October 1):50–53, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
33.
SadavaS.W.ThistleR.ForsythR.1978Stress, Escapism and Patterns of Alcohol and Drug Use. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, V. 39, No. 5:725–736.
34.
SimonW.LumryG.K.1969Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Among Physicians — Chronic Self-Destruction?Drug Dependence, No. 1 (July):11–14.
35.
SmithD.E.SeymourR.1985A Clinical Approach to the Impaired Health Professional, The International Journal of the Addictions, V. 20, No. 3:713–722.
36.
StimsonG.V.1985Recent Developments in Professional Control: The Impaired Physician Movement in USA. Sociology of Health and Illness, (July), V.7, No. 2:141–166.
37.
TaravellaS.1984Help Hospital Workers Combat Chemical Abuse. Business Insurance, V. 18, No. 47:12,14.
38.
TriceH.M.BeyerJ.M.1984Work-Related Outcomes of the Constructive-Confrontation Strategy in a Job-Based Alcoholism Program, Journal of Studies on Alcohol, V. 45, No. 5 (September):393–404.
39.
TriceH.M.RomanP.M.1972Spirits and Demons at Work: Alcohol and Outer Drugs on the Job. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University, New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations.
40.
ThoresonR.W.1984The Professor at Risk: Alcohol Abuse in Adaceme. In ThoresonR.W.HosokawaE.P., (eds.), Employee Assistance Programs in Higher Education:123–143, Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.
41.
TwaddleA.C.HesslerR.M.1987A Sociology of Health. Second Edition. NY: Macmillan.
42.
VaillantG.E.1978Natural History of Male Psychological Health: VI. Correlates of Successful Marriage and Fatherhood. American Journal of Psychiatry, V. 135, No. 6 (June):653–659.
43.
VaillantG.E.BrightonJ.R.McArthurC.1970Physicians' Use of Mood-Altering Drugs: A 20-Year Follow-Up Report. The New England Journal of Medicine, V. 282, No. 7 (February 12):365–370.
44.
VaillantG.E.SobowaleN.C.McArthurC.1972Some Psychologic Vulnerabilities of Physicians. The New England Journal of Medicine, August 24:372–375.
45.
WeigandM.1981The Florida Physician and His Family in Crisis. Journal of the Florida Medical Association, V. 68, No. 3:195–199.
46.
WyshakG.LambG.A.LawrenceR.S.CurranW.J.1980A Profile of the Health-Promoting Behaviors of Physicians and Lawyers. The New England Journal of Medicine, (July 10):104–107.
