Research on children with alcoholic parents has revealed great variability in emotional and social adjustment. This study examines stresses and resources that influence adult outcomes for women who grew up with an alcoholic parent. The design included women both with and without alcoholic parents from community samples of varying race, age, and socioeconomic background, using siblings as collateral informants. Findings from 250 women show that, as the number of alcoholic parents increased, the likelihood of additional childhood risks (i.e., parental psychopathology, sexual abuse, and other physical abuse) also increased: 32% with no alcoholic parents, 46% with one alcoholic parent; and 70% with 2 alcoholic parents. Subjects with an alcoholic parent were more likely to report a drinking problem in adulthood (68% vs. 32%); and subjects reporting both childhood sexual and other physical abuse were more likely to report a drinking problem in adulthood (8% of subjects with no abuse have a drinking problem vs. 9% of subjects with other physical abuse only vs. 21% of subjects with sexual abuse only vs. 43% of subjects with both sexual and other physical abuse). Parental alcoholism did not predict emotional problems in adulthood, but childhood physical abuse, with or without sexual abuse, was predictive of adult emotional problems (79% vs. 21%). Also noteworthy was the finding that only one-fourth of the alcoholic parents received treatment. These findings are reported by race. Findings will assist health care providers in refining childhood risk assessment and facilitate matching services to families' needs.
Learning Objectives: Attenders will be able to describe the childhood stresses that predict social adjustment in women
Keywords: Ethnic Minorities, Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.