One hundred wives of alcoholics with a confirmed diagnosis of alcohol dependence syndrome according to DCR 10 were studied with a "coping with drinking questionnaire". "Avoidance" was the most commonly endorsed coping behaviour. There was a significant correlation between all the coping components and alcohol related problems. No correlation was observed between neuroticism scores and coping behaviour. It is evident from the study that both personality and situational variables play a role in determining the coping behaviour of the wives of alcoholics.
Keywords: Coping; determinants; wives of alcoholics.