Marital Interactions of Male versus Female Alcoholics

Abstract

This study assessed the interactions of 131 alcoholic and nonalcoholic couples as they engaged in discussions of personally relevant problems. For 50 couples, the husband was alcoholic; for 15 couples, the wife was alcoholic; for 16 couples, both spouses were alcoholics; and for 50 couples, neither spouse was alcoholic. Observations were conducted during sessions when alcohol was consumed and in nondrinking sessions. Female alcoholic couples (with nonalcoholic spouses) demonstrated high negativity in the "no-drink" session, which was normalized in the drink session, suggesting an adaptive function to alcohol use. Concordant couples (both members were alcoholic) also demonstrated high negativity in the no-drink session, but exhibited increased negativity in the drink session, suggesting that concordance has a maladaptive impact on marital interaction. All alcoholic groups demonstrated greater negativity and lower positivity and congeniality in their marital interactions compared to nonalcoholic couples. Couples with male alcoholics were the least divergent from normal control couples. Unique female patterns in alcoholism are discussed in terms of adaptive and reinforcing patterns and spousal influences.

Effects of Administered Alcohol on Intimate Partner Interactions in a Conflict Resolution Paradigm

“…Alcohol consumption was associated with increased negativity for high (but not low) antisocial alcoholics (Jacob et al, 2001) and for couples in which both partners were alcoholic (Haber and Jacob, 1997) but not among normal controls (Jacob and Krahn, 1988). Positive effects of alcohol were observed in one small sample of alcoholic couples (Frankenstein et al, 1985).…”

Marital and Family Processes in the Context of Alcohol Use and Alcohol Disorders

“…It is of interest that this increase in negativity may occur only among alcoholics with antisocial features (Jacob et al 2001). In an interesting extension of these studies, Haber & Jacob (1997) examined the influence of alcohol on the marital interactions of couples in which the husband, wife, or both were alcoholic. Alcohol was associated with lower negativity among couples in which only the wife was alcoholic, but higher negativity among couples in which both were alcoholic.…”

Depressive symptoms over time in women partners of men with and without alcohol problems.

“…In addition, increased marital and general family conflicts are often found in families in which the male partner drinks heavily and has alcohol-related problems (Jacob, Leonard, & Haber, 2001;Leonard et al, 2000;O'Farrell, Murphy, Neavins, & Van Hutton, 2000). For example, in an observational paradigm, Haber and Jacob (1997) found that couples in which the husband was an alcoholic exhibited more negativity and less positivity and congeniality in their interactions than did couples in which there was no alcohol use disorders.…”

“…Women with alcohol or drug problems are more likely to experience martial dissatisfaction (Whisman, Sheldon, & Goering, 2000). Haber and Jacob (1997) observed that alcoholic women were highly negative in interactions with their spouses, particularly when the women were not drinking. In addition, maternal alcohol-related problems predict offspring's behavioral and emotional problems (Christensen & Bilenberg, 2000;Dawson, 1992).…”

“…In addition, increased marital and general family conflicts are often found in families in which the male partner drinks heavily and has alcohol-related problems (Jacob, Leonard, & Haber, 2001;Leonard et al, 2000;O'Farrell, Murphy, Neavins, & Van Hutton, 2000). For example, in an observational paradigm, Haber and Jacob (1997) found that couples in which the husband was an alcoholic exhibited more negativity and less positivity and congeniality in their interactions than did couples in which there was no alcohol use disorders.In turn, previous studies have shown that family conflict is associated with more depression in women (Christian, O'Leary, & Vivian, 1994;Sandberg & Harper, 2000). In addition, mothers whose offspring have behavioral or emotional problems reported more depressive symptoms (Hammen, Burge, & Stansbury, 1990).…”