Web-Based Coping Skills Training and Coach Support for Women Living With a Partner With an Alcohol Use Disorder:...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Digital Health

Background:

• Individuals partnered with those with alcohol use disorder (AUD) experience significant distress and increased healthcare utilization.
• Existing treatments often focus on the individual with AUD, creating barriers for their partners seeking support.
• A self-directed, web-based coping skills program, Stop Spinning My Wheels (SSMW), shows promise for this underserved population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the SSMW program in reducing negative affect (depression and anger) in women partnered with individuals with AUD.
• To compare SSMW with a usual web care (UWC) control group.
• To assess the impact of brief phone coaching (SSMW+coach) versus SSMW alone.

Main Methods:

• Women (N=456) were randomized to SSMW only, SSMW+coach, or UWC.
• Depression and anger were assessed at baseline, 12-week posttest, and 6- and 12-month follow-ups.
• Baseline negative affect was examined as a moderator of treatment effects.

Main Results:

• All groups showed decreased depression; SSMW groups also decreased in anger, unlike the UWC group.
• SSMW+coach significantly reduced depression compared to UWC at posttest (P<.001).
• SSMW+coach demonstrated higher engagement and satisfaction; both SSMW conditions showed superior depressive symptom remission rates compared to UWC.

Conclusions:

• The SSMW program, with or without coaching, effectively reduces clinically meaningful distress for partners of individuals with AUD.
• While UWC showed some positive changes, SSMW conditions were superior in depressive symptom remission.
• SSMW offers a valuable addition to available treatment options for this population, with SSMW+coach showing enhanced engagement.