Stressful and traumatic experiences among women with alcohol use disorders in India

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to examine lifetime stressful and traumatic experiences among women with alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Methods: The sample comprised of two groups: a clinical group of 35 women with a diagnosis of AUD and a comparison group of 60 women drawn from the community. After screening out, the participants were administered Life Stressor Checklist-Revised. Results: On an average, clinical group was exposed to 7.57 (standard deviation [SD] = 4.14) stressful events and comparison group was exposed to 4.03 (SD = 2.80) stressful events across the lifespan (t = 4.976; P < 0.001). Clinical group reported a high number of childhood abuse and interpersonal traumas across lifespan than comparison group. The relationship between adverse life experiences and alcohol abuse among women was bidirectional. Conclusion: Understanding the nature and experiences of trauma in this group has implications for planning gender-sensitive treatment programs for women seeking help for AUDs in India

Keywords

• Alcohol use disorders
• India
• stressful experiences
• trauma
• women