Coping among nonclinical college-age children of alcoholics.

Abstract

Much of what is currently known about adult children of alcoholics (ACAs) is based either on clinical observation or on research with clinical populations. This study extends prior research by (a) comparing 40 nonclinical college-age ACAs to 40 nonclinical college-age non-ACAs on problem-solving appraisal, perceived social support, shame, suicidal ideation, and substance use; (b) examining gender differences among ACAs on these 5 variables; and (c) exploring relations between problem-solving appraisal, perceived social support, and shame in predicting suicidal ideation and substance use. ACA participants were found to be similar to their non-ACA peers on all measures, and no gender differences among ACAs were found. The research on which this article is written is based on Deborah M. Wright's master's thesis, which was conducted under the supervision of P. Paul Heppner.We would like to thank Gene Oetting for use of the American Drug and Alcohol Survey and Kathleen Kelly at the Rocky Mountain Behavioral Science Institute for her help with the analysis of that data. In addition, we would like to thank Robert Dolliver, Jane Domke, and Carol Jauquet for their helpful comments on an earlier version of this article.

An examination of the relationship between coping with stress and alcoholism in adult children of alcoholics

“…They found ACOAs from both functional and dysfunctional families were at significantly more moderate and high risk for alcohol use than were the non-ACOAs. " [T]he results ofthis study contradict the Wright and Heppner (1991) study, in which the same instruments and a very similar sample were used" (Wright & Heppner, 1993). These contradictory findings despite the use of similar procedures, suggests that the presence of alcoholism in A CO As is a complex phenomenon.…”

“…A few of the more commonly researched characteristics include self-depreciation and self-esteem, independence, autonomy and the need for social support, intimacy, eating disorders, shame, hopelessness, depression and anxiety (Berkowitz & Perkins, 1988;Clair & Genest, 1987;Harrington and Metzler, 1997;Jarmas & Kazak, 1992;Kashubeck & Christensen, 1992;Mintz, Kashubeck, & Tracy, 1995;Reich, Earls, Frankel, & Shayka, 1993;Stout & Mintz, 1996;Wood, 1987;Wright & Heppner, 1991. Despite the breadth of literature examining these concepts, the results are mixed and unclear.…”

“…Although there are inconsistent findings as to whether ACOAs consume more alcohol than non-ACOAs (Jarmas & Kazak, 1992;Rodney, 1994;Wright & Heppner, 1991), there is general agreement throughout the literature that alcoholism is transmitted intergenerationally (e.g., Cotton, 1979;Koopmans & Boomsma, 1996;Light, Irvine, & Kjerulf, 1996;Sher, 1991), thereby placing A CO As at risk to become alcoholic themselves. There is much debate, however, as to the form of such intergenerational transmission.…”

“…This difference in the amount of alcohol consumed was not noted in a study of 40 ACOA and 40 non-ACOA freshmen university students who volunteered to complete a package of 13 questionnaires for extra credit (Wright & Heppner, 1991). Within each group were 20 males and 20 females .…”

“…Even for the most widely researched characteristic of A CO As --alcohol use and abuse --there are inconsistent findings (Burk & Sher, 1988;Cotton, 1979;El-Gueblay andOfford, 1977, 1979;Mintz, Kashubeck, & Tracy, 1995;Rodney, 1994;Schuckit, 1994;Sher, 1991;Wright & Heppner, 1991. In a study of 50 ACOAs and 50 non-ACOAs who where selected from a college class roster and paid to complete a battery oftests, both groups were compared in terms of family of origin functioning, perceived availability of social support, academic development, and alcohol use (Rodney, 1994).…”