Psychosocial factors related to alcohol consumption among small town women seeking institutional support

Introduction
There is still scarcity of information that might be helpful in the development of substance dependence treatment programmes targeted to women, particularly those from small towns, who frequently face various social and economic problems. The aim of this study was to find out whether drinking patterns among small town women seeking help in various institutions due to the problems they experience, were related to their sense of loneliness, mental health status and some aspects of life satisfaction.

Material and methods
Participants in the study were 60 women, residents of a small town or neighbouring villages in the Podlaskie province. The CAGE test, Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were used.

Results
The results indicate that at-risk drinking pattern was found in over a half (55%) of the women. They differed from non-drinking females in some respects: they had a stronger sense of loneliness, rated their mental health lower and were less satisfied with relationships with their children and friends. This effect was not seen as regards the participants’ satisfaction in relationships with their spouses/partners, their social dysfunction, anxiety or insomnia.

Discussion
The findings suggest that the female population under study is at serious risk of alcohol dependence. In future research a larger sample of women living in small towns should be enrolled enabling investigators to get a closer insight into the problem of alcohol dependence in such communities and into assistance adequacy (i.e. whether alcohol abuse and mental health problems are taken into account in the provided help).

Conclusions
Sense of loneliness, some aspects of life satisfaction and mental health status may be significant life experiences that lead to risky drinking and development of alcohol dependence.