Exploring Effects of Alcohol Abuse on a Marital Couples Communication Pattern: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Alcohol abuses among marital couples are associated with negative marital and family interactions. The family functioning including family interactional patterns gradually declines often resulting into marital dissatisfactions and a poorer quality of life within the marriage. Numerous studies were explored with the aim to explore and understand how alcohol abuse can impact the marital interactions among couples with alcohol abuse. We found nine studies that fit our criteria by searching through various online databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and ProQuest. These studies are original research articles from the last fifteen years that look at how alcohol abuse affects the interactions between couples. Findings highlighted that alcohol consumption among couples often worsens marital interactions, making it difficult to establish clear boundaries, roles, responsibilities, conflict resolutions, and decision-making abilities among alcoholic couples. On the other hand, evidence-based studies such as family-focused interventions and behavioral couple therapy reduce faulty communications and negative statements and enhance attempts to clarify expectations, roles, responsibilities, problem-solving abilities, and conflict resolutions among couples with alcohol abuse. To improve marital satisfaction and quality of life in marriage, addressing issues related to alcohol abuse is of greater concern for professionals working closely with the area. Although the fields of alcohol abuse and substance abuse are often delicate and demanding, they present significant challenges.