Intimate Partner Violence and Psychiatric Co-Morbidies in Spouse of Alcohol Dependence Syndrome

Introduction: Family members especially their spouses suffer intense psychological,physical and social trauma due to core drinking problem. Intimate partner violence(IPV) is a globally acknowledged public health problem. In this background the studywas carried out to assess IPV and depression in spouses of Alcohol DependenceSyndrome (ADS). Methodology: A hospital-based study of 100 participants withalcohol dependence syndrome and their spouses were interviewed. Patient with otherpsychiatric illnesses and substance dependence except nicotine were excluded. Spousesdiagnosed with any psychiatric illness were excluded. Severity of alcohol dependencequestionnaire (SADQ) Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D) and Hamiltonanxiety rating scale (HAM-A) were used for the participants and WHO-IPV scale wasused for their spouses. Results: A positive association of the severity of alcoholconsumption with IPV. We also found a significant association with HAM-A andHAM-D to spouse who were exposed to IPV. Conclusion: This study highlights thatdepression and anxiety disorders co-morbid in patients with ADS and IPV is higherspouses of patients with ADS.