Effect of Al-Anon attendance on family function and quality of life in women in Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Background: Al-Anon self-help group is the sole source of assistance for families whose members suffer from alcohol abuse problems in Iran. Objectives: To assess the effects of Al-Anon meeting attendance on family function and quality of life of women living with husbands with alcohol use disorders. Methods: The study was conducted among two groups of women first time participants in Al-Anon (n = 40) and participants who had attended Al-Anon for at least six months (n = 40) in Mashhad, Iran. Participants were administered the Quality of Life Short Form (QOL SF-36) and Family Assessment Device (FAD). Results: There was a significant group difference in the QOL SF-36 total as well as in the sub-scores of role limitations due to physical problems, role limitations due to emotional problems, vitality, pain, and social functioning sub-scores. No significant group differences were observed in FAD sub-scores, except for the subscale of problem solving. Conclusion: These findings suggest Al-Anon, when other structured therapeutic interventions are not available, may be of particular benefit for quality of life issues in women attendees.

• 12-step
• Al-Anon
• alcoholism
• family functioning
• Iran
• quality of life

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all participants for their sincere cooperation in this study.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.