Familieinteraktion og symptomer på psykiske belastninger hos alkoholikere og ægtefæller til alkoholikere *

Abstract

French

Helene Bygholm Christensen: Family interaction and symptoms of psychological distress among alcoholics and spouses

This article focuses on the relationship between alcoholism, dysfunctional family interaction and symptoms of psychological distress among alcoholics and spouses. In a Danish sample of 58 alcoholics and 23 spouses, measures of psychological distress showed that both alcoholics and spouses were psychologically impaired (Brief Symptom Inventory). We found no significant differences between the two groups, indicating that being a spouse of an alcoholic is connected to the same amount of psychological distress as being alcoholic. Family interaction in this group of alcoholic families is characterized by being rigid and control oriented, with unclear communication and an atmosphere of depressiveness, hostility and anxiety (measured with Self-Report Family Inventory). Measures of family interaction and symptoms of psychological distress were mostly unrelated to measures of socioeconomic status and drinking pattern. We found strong correlations between all dimensions of family interaction and alcoholics' symptoms of psychological distress. Contrary to this, spouses' symptoms of psychological distress were almost only related to the level of conflict in the family. The results of this study emphasize the necessity of bringing considerations of comorbidity and family interaction into the treatment of alcoholics.

Keywords

Alcoholism spouse family interaction psychological distress demographics drinking pattern

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