Wives of alcoholics: Stigma management and adjustments to husband‐wife interaction

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Abstract
This paper examines how women married to alcoholics (1) manage the stigma resulting from the behavior of their spouses, and (2) adjust to their husbands’ behavior. A sample of thirty‐eight women was obtained through the cooperation of an Alanon group, which distributed a questionnaire to them. The questionnaire included questions about the women's discovery of and perceptions of their husbands’ drinking, marital interaction, their support of and participation in this behavior, and so forth. Two scales measuring internal‐external control and self‐esteem were included in the instrument. The women learned about their husbands’ drinking early in the relationship. They responded to this with anger, hostility and resentment. However, they were able to distinguish between their feelings about their spouses’ behavior and their feelings about these men. Fears included concerns for the husband's health, affects on their children, and his job. Over time, fears have decreased, but serious problems in the marriages remain. The majority of wives have participated in their husbands’ drinking. Most women rated their marriages as happy, but their sexual adjustments were seen as unsatisfactory. Support group membership helped the women to cope with their situation and develop self‐esteem. Self‐esteem was related to attitudes toward the husband's drinking. Feelings of control were related to coping ability.

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