Levels of Stress and Health Practices of Wives of Alcoholics

Abstract

It is estimated that every alcoholic adversely affects the well-being of five to seven others, including the spouse, other family members, friends and coworkers. (Steinglass, 1981; Wilson-Schaef, 1986). Jackson (1954, 1962) concluded that the spouses of male alcoholics experienced stress because of living with an alcoholic. This stress may be manifested through a wide variety of physiological, psychological and social symptoms (Jacob, Dunn, Leonard & Davis, 1985; Moos, Finney & Gamble, 1982; Whitfield, 1984). Stress has been associated with poor health practices such as smoking, alcohol use and increased caffeine consumption (Conway, Vickers, Ward & Rahe, 1981; Lindenthal, Myers & Pepper, 1972). Healthy lifestyle practices have been positively associated with good physical health status (Belloc & Breslow, 1972), lower mortality (Belloc, 1973; Wingard, Berkman & Brand, 1982) and social support (Berkman & Syme, 1979; Gottlieb & Green, 1984). For some individuals, lifestyle practices may reduce the effects of the stress of living with an alcoholic. However, poor health practices, such as smoking, can be stressors in themselves; consequently, the health of the wife of an alcoholic may be affected.