Burden and Predictors of Caregiver Depression Among Spouses of Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder in South West Nigeria

Spouses of individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) bear substantial caregiving burdens that predispose them to depression, yet spousal mental health in AUD families has received little attention in West African psychiatric literature. This study examines the burden and predictors of depression among spouses of patients with AUD in South West Nigeria, drawing from the outpatient addiction clinics at two tertiary hospitals in Lagos and Ogun States. A cross-sectional design will recruit 150 spouses through consecutive sampling. The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) will measure caregiving burden, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) will screen for depression. Predictors, including duration of partner's AUD, financial hardship, history of domestic violence, social support, and coping style (Brief COPE), will be examined using binary logistic regression. Evidence from global addiction studies identifies chronic family stress, isolation, and financial depletion as key contributors to spousal depression in AUD families. This is among the first Nigerian studies to focus exclusively on spousal mental health in this context. Findings will support the development of family-inclusive AUD treatment programs and caregiver support services in South West Nigeria. Keywords: caregiver depression, alcohol use disorder, spouses, South West Nigeria, family burden