Perceived stress, marital satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction in spouses of males having bipolar disorder with and without alcohol use disorder: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are frequently comorbid and affect the social, occupational, and personal domains of patients and their spouses. AIM: This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess and compare the levels of stress, marital satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction between the spouses of males with BPAD + AUD and of those without AUD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Spouses of 100 males with diagnosed BPAD, currently in remission, including fifty patients having comorbid AUD, were recruited as participants. Participants were assessed with Perceived Stress Scale-10, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and Sexuality Scale. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, t-test, analysis of variance, and correlation on SPSS were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: More stress (59%), poorer marital (53%) and sexual satisfaction (89%) were found in the majority participants, with significantly higher stress in the group with husbands having both BPAD + AUD (P < 0.01). Duration of cohabitation had a direct, and education and family income had inverse relations with stress. CONCLUSIONS: BPAD worsens stress, marital satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction in the study participants, the stress increasing further with comorbid AUD. Education, family income, and duration of cohabitation have a significant bearing on stress.