1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«This study examined the relationship between alcohol misuse in the male partner and the consequences on the female spouse in a nonclinical population.» (p. 41)

Questions/Hypothèses :
«We hypothesize that, in general, the level of female psychological distress will increase as the number of negative stressful life events and/or number of negative personal dispositions increases. We further hypothesize that high female psychological distress […] is indicative of multiple factors that result in a cumulative stress burden. More specifically, we anticipate that females of spouses identified as at-risk for lifetime drinking […] will be an important factor in predicting high psychological distress in females.» (p. 43)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
L’échantillon utilisé provient de l’Enquête Santé Québec. The sample counts «5,301 couples and subsequently 4,437 men were deemed not at-risk for problem drinking and 864 men were considered lifetime at-risk drinkers.» (p. 43)

Instruments :
Questionnaire

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

«This study found that more than one woman out of four (26%) living with a male lifetime at-risk drinker suffered from psychological distress. Lifetime at-risk drinking is considered an on-going stress factor on spouses […] and an additive burden when other negative stressful events and dispositions exist. Psychological distress was assessed with a symptom checklist derived from the Psychiatric Symptom Index […], and this study found the distress to be predicted by seven negative stressful events and dispositions and moderated by the perception of help within the family and presence of a family confidant. Levels of psychological distress were 5.7% higher in female spouses of male lifetime at-risk drinkers as compared to those females living with male nondrinkers. […] Lifetime at-risk drinking is a recurrent abnormal behavior, which may adversely affect the mental health of the spouse and as such is considered an additive burden in that it can negatively influence the affected spouse’s perception of their health status.» (p. 48)