Evaluation of Anxiety and Depression Among Female Spouses of Iranian Male Drug Dependents

BACKGROUND Existing evidences suggest the more vulnerability of spouses of drug dependents, in exposure to mental disorders. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the associated parameters of anxiety and depression among female spouses of male drug dependents. PATIENTS AND METHODS With a cross-sectional design in 2010, a total of 237 Iranian women were selected and divided into three groups: 1. non-drug-dependent wives who had non-drug-dependent husbands (Group I), 2. non-drug-dependent wives who had drug-dependent husbands (Group II), and 3. drug-dependent wives who had drug-dependent husbands (Group III). Socio-demographic characteristics were collected by a checklist, and the levels of anxiety and depression were measured through the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Linear regression was applied for determination of anxiety and depression predictors. RESULTS Mean age of the participants was about 35 years, and mean duration of marriage was 14 years. Drug dependence of the husband (P = 0.010) and lower monthly income of the family (P = 0.007) predicted the higher level of anxiety among the participants, while older age (P = 0.031), shorter marital duration (P = 0.016), and lower educational level (P = 0.045) in addition to spousal drug dependence (P = 0.023), and lower family income (P = 0.014) were significantly associated with higher levels of depression. CONCLUSIONS Findings of the present study demonstrate that spousal drug dependence and lower monthly income were common predictors of anxiety and depression among spouses of drug dependents in Iran, while older age, shorter marital duration and lower educational level were predictors of depression. However, more research is needed to find casual relationships between spousal drug dependence and mental health in Iran.