Lived Experiences of Wives of Persons with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: There have been reports of increasing alcohol use and domestic violence among individuals with alcohol dependence syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study assessed the experiences of domestic violence, psychological distress, and coping mechanisms used by wives of individuals with alcohol dependence syndrome (PWADS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional institutional-based study collected data from 50 participants using the consecutive sampling method. The following tools were utilized: Socio-demographic Questionnaire, Domestic Violence Questionnaire, the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, and the Brief Cope. Results: The mean age of the spouses (PWADS) was 42 ± 8.20 years, with 42% (N = 21) being skilled workers. Sixty percent (N = 30) had been consuming alcohol for the past 10 years, and 50% (N = 25) had been undergoing treatment for 2-5 years. Among the study participants (wives of PWADS), the mean age was 40.70 ± 8.70 years, and 82% were housewives. They reported a significant increase in alcohol use and excessive spending by their husbands, which negatively affected the home environment. Domestic violence, in terms of psychological, physical, and sexual abuse, also significantly increased (p < .001) compared to before and during the lockdown. Forty-eight percent of the wives reported experiencing severe levels of psychological distress. They employed various coping strategies. Conclusion: The lived experiences of wives of individuals with alcohol dependence syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic were challenging, as their husbands not only continued their regular alcohol consumption but also increased the amount and expenditure on alcohol. This had a detrimental effect on the home environment, worse than the situation before the lockdown. Targeted interventions are necessary to address these issues during the COVID-19 pandemic or similar situations.

Stress, Coping, and Resilience Among Home-Quarantined Persons During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings From a Community Study.

Objective: To assess stress, coping, and resilience among home-quarantined individuals via a community survey during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a combined list was generated of all contacts of positive COVID-19 cases, traced by a contact tracing team, and international travelers who had entered the country after March 8, 2020 (2 weeks before the air travel shutdown on March 22, 2020 in India). This community-based study was conducted among people who were quarantined in their homes and international travelers who arrived in the country after declaration of lockdown. Stress and coping were assessed via the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, 10-item Perceived Stress Scale, and Brief Resilient Coping Scale. The participants with higher perceived stress scores (≥ 14) were asked to seek help from telemedicine services. Study data were collected from April 8, 2020, to May 20, 2020.Results: The mean age of the 153 study participants was 40.10 years, and 41.8% were women. Poor coping was identified in 25.5% of the sample, and moderate/high stress was present in 49.7%. Significantly higher stress was noted in women (P = .007). Higher age, joint family structure, and contacts of COVID cases were significant predictors of moderate/severe perceived stress in the logistic regression.Conclusions: Adequate psychological supportive services should be provided to home-quarantined persons through provision of information, rapid communication, and timely supplies of general and medical items.