Caregiving Appraisal and Social Support: Key Determinants of Quality of Life Among Caregivers of Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder.

BACKGROUND

Caregivers of individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) face unique challenges, including stigma and social isolation, that affect their emotional, physical and psychological well-being. According to Szmukler et al. (1996) stress-coping model, the Experience of Caregiving (EoC) and social support (SS) are crucial resources that help caregivers manage stress. This study examines how caregiving appraisals (positive: ECIP; negative: ECIN) and SS influence the quality of life (QoL) of caregivers.

PURPOSE: To explore the relationships between QoL, ECIP, ECIN and SS among caregivers of individuals with AUD and assess their collective impact on QoL.

METHODS

Using purposive sampling, 128 family caregivers (18 males and 110 females) providing care to a male family member diagnosed with AUD were recruited from two psychiatric hospitals in Amritsar, Punjab. The mean age of the participants was 43.05 years (SD = 13.02). Participants completed the World Health Organisation Quality of Life-Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), Experience of Caregiving Inventory (ECI) and the Post Graduate Institute (PGI) Social Support Questionnaire (PGI-SSQ). Data were analysed using Pearson's product-moment correlation and multiple regression analysis to identify predictors of QoL.

RESULTS

Pearson's product-moment correlation analysis revealed that QoL was significantly positively correlated with ECIP (r = 0.714, p < .01) and SS (r = 0.641, p < .01) and negatively correlated with ECIN (r = -0.679, p < .01). Multiple regression analysis indicated that ECIP, ECIN and SS together explained 64% of the variance in QoL, with ECIP emerging as the strongest predictor (β = 0.383).

CONCLUSION

QoL among AUD caregivers is significantly shaped by their caregiving appraisals and perceptions of SS. Interventions aimed at fostering positive appraisals and strengthening support systems are essential for improving caregiver well-being. Integrating caregiver-focused psychosocial interventions within routine addiction treatment services may further enhance long-term outcomes for both caregivers and patients.