The Relationship of Parental Alcoholism and Family Dysfunction to Stress Among College Students

Abstract

The relationship between collegiate adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) and adult children from dysfunctional families (ACDFs) was examined to determine whether ACOAs and ACDFs were at greater risk of stress than non-ACOAs and non-ACDFs. The participants were 549 students from a midwestern university. The data collection instruments were the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test, 6-Item Version (CAST-6); the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales, Version II (FACES-II); and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). A substantial proportion of the sample was classified as ACOA, ACDF, or both, and there was considerable overlap between the two groups. Both ACOA and ACDF status were found to be significant predictors of stress, with ACDF status being a better predictor than ACOA status. Possible explanations for the results and implications for collegiate wellness programs are discussed.

Parental Alcoholism and Family Functioning: Effects on Differentiation Levels of Young Adults

“…Research supports their perception, finding lower overall family health and competence and an association between parental alcoholism and increased levels of certain types of family dysfunction (Fischer et al, 2000;Garbarino & Strange, 1993;Johnson, 2001Johnson, , 2002Senchak et al, 1995). Alcoholic families are more likely to experience divorce and multigenerational transmission of alcoholism (Hall et al, 1994;Johnson, 2001;Kerr & Hill, 1992a).…”

“…Similarly, several researchers have indicated that alcoholic families cannot easily be discriminated from dysfunctional families or families experiencing other kinds of stressors (Alford, 1998;Fischer et al, 2000;Wright & Heppner, 1993). Mothersead, Kivlighan, and Wynkoop (1998) argue that the validity of classifying ACOAs as a separate group is under question.…”

Wellness: Its Impact on Student Grades and Implications for Business

“…When a discrepancy exists between the environment and the individual, stress ensues, as well as mental or physical illness (Allison, 1997). An individual's environment has been shown to influence behavior, and any change in wellness should take into consideration an individual's environment, where some environments are more conducive to wellness than others (Dunn, 1977;Fischer et al, 2000;Horowitz, 1985;Hughes, 2006;Ureda & Yates, 2005).…”

Family Process as a Mediator of the Negative Effects of Parental Alcoholism on Young Adult Dating Relationships

“…A major limitation in the research on the effects of alcoholism on young adult relationships is the failure to acknowledge that family environments affected by alcoholism may vary from slightly disturbed to severely dysfunctional (Fischer et al, 2000;Hill, Nord, & Blow, 1992;Puttler, Zucker, Fitzgerald, & Bingham, 1998;Werner, 1985). Werner (1985) studied the differences in ACOAs and their families that lead to different levels of psychological and relational adjustment for ACOAs.…”