Distraught spouse in pieces (6)
I believe the answer is:
opuses
'pieces' is the definition.
('opus' can be a synonym of 'piece')
'distraught spouse' is the wordplay.
'distraught' indicates anagramming the letters (an unsettled or upset order of the letters).
'spouse' with letters rearranged gives 'OPUSES'.
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for opuses that I've seen before include "Musical works" , "pieces of music" .)