Alcohol's harms to others in Wales, United Kingdom: Nature, magnitude and associations with mental well-being

Abstract

Aim To explore the nature and magnitude of alcohol's harms to others (AHTOs), and associations with mental well-being. Methods Cross-sectional survey implemented amongst 891 randomly selected Welsh residents (aged 18+ years), via computer assisted telephone interviews. Questions established past 12-month experience of nine direct harms resulting from another person's alcohol consumption (e.g. violence) and five linked outcomes (e.g. concern for a child). The source (e.g. partner/stranger) and frequency of the AHTO were collected, and respondents' socio-demographics, drinking behaviours and mental well-being status. Results During the past 12 months, 43.5% of respondents had experienced at least one direct harm (45.5% at least one direct harm/linked outcome). In demographically adjusted analyses, the odds of experiencing any direct harm decreased sequentially as age group increased (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AORs]: 1.9 [age 65–74 years] - 4.2 [age 18–34 years]), and was higher amongst binge drinkers (AOR, 1.5, p < 0.05). Associations between age group and suffering the direct harms anxiety, disrupted sleep, feeling threatened, property damage and emotional neglect were found. Experience of feeling threatened was lower amongst females (AOR 0.6, p < 0.05). In demographically adjusted analyses, low mental well-being was higher amongst those who had suffered alcohol-related financial issues (AOR 2.2, p < 0.001), emotional neglect (AOR 2.3, p < 0.01) and property damage (AOR 2.2, p < 0.05). Conclusion AHTOs place a large, although unequal burden on adults in Wales. Individuals' drinking patterns are associated with experience of AHTOs. Critically, experience of some harms is associated with low mental well-being.

The Association Between Family Violence, Depression and Anxiety Among Women Whose Partners Have Been Treated for Alcohol Dependence

“…This is corroborated by our finding that women from longer partnerships/unions (more than 21 years) suffer from moderate/severe depression significantly more often than women in shorter partnerships ( p = 0.007). Knowing the context of Serbia and the theoretical framework presented in our Introduction, we would expect that depression and anxiety that is associated with the alcohol dependence of a male partner to be higher among women whose educational level is lower, who are unemployed, who have a higher number of children or who are living in rural areas (Ariyasinghe et al 2015 ; Dandu et al 2017 ; Dawson et al 2007 ; Karriker-Jaffe and Greenfield 2014 ; Karriker-Jaffe et al 2017 ; Kishor et al 2013 ; Nayak et al 2019 ; Schuckit et al 2002 ; Seid et al 2015 ; Quigg et al 2019 ). However, none of these expectations were confirmed by our findings.…”

“…Additional social factors that could explain and reinforce the harmful effects of alcohol consumption on women’s anxiety and depression are numerous. Some studies indicated that these factors include lower social status and educational level, unemployment, number of children, living in rural areas, and difference in the education status of partners (Ariyasinghe et al 2015 ; Dandu et al 2017 ; Dawson et al 2007 ; Karriker-Jaffe and Greenfield 2014 ; Karriker-Jaffe et al 2017 ; Kishor et al 2013 ; Schuckit et al 2002 ; Seid et al 2015 ; Nayak et al 2019 ; Quigg et al 2019 ).…”

Gender Differences in the Epidemiology of Alcohol Use and Related Harms in the United States

“…Alcohol consumption by an individual often leads to harms to others, also known as secondhand harms. 12 , 71 , 72 Traffic crash injuries and fatalities are well-known secondhand harms caused by another person’s alcohol use, but there are more. A recent study by Nayak and colleagues utilized data from the 2015 National Alcohol’s Harms to Others Survey, which asked respondents about secondhand harms such as having property vandalized or damaged, being harassed or assaulted, or experiencing financial troubles.…”

The socioeconomic distribution of alcohol-related violence in England and Wales

“…Similarly, Scottish hospital data from the early 2000s has shown that alcohol-related facial injuries "disproportionately [affect] young men from socioeconomically deprived areas” [ 18 p. 644]. Further, in an analysis of alcohol’s harms to others in Wales, a significant association between regional deprivation of a respondent and experience of violent harm as a result of another’s drinking was identified [ 19 ]. However, analysis of Australian police data showed higher SES neighbourhoods experienced higher rates of alcohol-related crime, including violence, sexual assault, criminal damage, and anti-social behaviour [ 20 ].…”