Psychological Consequences of Domestic Violence Among Wives of Alcohol-Dependent Individuals in Chennai, India

Domestic violence has a profound impact on the mental health of women married to alcoholics, often leading to conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD). In India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, socio-cultural factors like deeply ingrained gender roles and inadequate support systems further worsen the psychological distress these women experience. Wives of alcoholics endure both direct and indirect forms of abuse, severely affecting their mental well-being. While domestic violence has been widely studied, there is limited research specifically addressing the psychological challenges faced by these women. This study aims to fill that gap by examining the mental health issues of wives of alcoholics and providing insights for mental health professionals to develop effective interventions. Focusing on Chennai, the study explores the long-term psychological impact of domestic violence on these women. Using a multi-stage probability sampling method, 11 de-addiction centers were selected, and structured interviews with 402 participants were analyzed using SPSS. The findings reveal high levels of verbal (48.5%) and sexual (49.3%) abuse, with significant correlations between socioeconomic factors and the severity of violence, underscoring the need for targeted interventions.