Familieinteraktion og symptomer på psykiske belastninger hos alkoholikere og ægtefæller til alkoholikere^*

Abstract

Helene Bygholm Christensen: Family interaction and symptoms of psychological distress among alcoholics and spouses This article focuses on the relationship between alcoholism, dysfunctional family interaction and symptoms of psychological distress among alcoholics and spouses. In a Danish sample of 58 alcoholics and 23 spouses, measures of psychological distress showed that both alcoholics and spouses were psychologically impaired (Brief Symptom Inventory). We found no significant differences between the two groups, indicating that being a spouse of an alcoholic is connected to the same amount of psychological distress as being alcoholic. Family interaction in this group of alcoholic families is characterized by being rigid and control oriented, with unclear communication and an atmosphere of depressiveness, hostility and anxiety (measured with Self-Report Family Inventory). Measures of family interaction and symptoms of psychological distress were mostly unrelated to measures of socioeconomic status and drinking pattern. We found strong correlations between all dimensions of family interaction and alcoholics' symptoms of psychological distress. Contrary to this, spouses' symptoms of psychological distress were almost only related to the level of conflict in the family. The results of this study emphasize the necessity of bringing considerations of comorbidity and family interaction into the treatment of alcoholics.

Changes in families of alcoholics during a post-treatment period

“…Kun cirka halvdelen af familierne har deltaget i 3-5 dages familiebehandling og fem børn udaf de ialt 50 børn har vaeret i børnegruppe på Majorgården. Familiemedlemmernes deltagelse i 3-5 dages familiebehandling (med undervisning og samtale) kan ikke betragtes som speciel intensiv, taget i betragtning, at såvel aegtefaelle som børn var relativt psykisk belastet ved tidspunktet for første dataindsamling (Christensen 1999;Christensen & Bilenberg 2000). Det er således ikke umiddelbart forventeligt, at der ville kunne ske markante forandringer i forbindelse med den minimale behandlingsindsats aegtefaelle og børn har vaeret inddraget i.…”

“…Ingen af familierne har vaeret i laengerevarende familieterapeutiske forløb, derfor er det heller ikke overraskende, at familieinteraktionen ikke har aendret sig markant i perioden efter behandlingen. Det skal også pointeres, at selvom der her er tale om familier, der i mange år har vaeret praeget af alkoholproblemer, har vi tidligere fundet, at det kun er en lille procentdel af dem, der i henhold til SFImålene er udpraeget dysfunktionelle i deres interaktionsmønster (Christensen 1999).…”