Graduate Program

Clinical Psychology

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

2009

Thesis Director

Anu Sharma

Thesis Committee Member

Ronan Bernas

Thesis Committee Member

Marjorie Hanft-Martone

Abstract

Substance abuse is a prevalent issue that has far-reaching implications for not only the abuser but also the family. Research on parental alcoholism and its effects on offspring have developed over the last several years. Following the lead of other researchers, the present study aimed to examine the relationship between parental alcoholism and attachment styles in adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) and possible mediating or moderating effects of familial factors. A sample of 84 college students completed a series of measures on parental alcoholism, family satisfaction, family cohesion, parent-child attachment, and psychological and physical maltreatment. Participants were divided into two groups (ACOA, non-ACOA) based on their endorsement of parental alcoholism either through a yes/no demographic question or their total score on the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test. It was hypothesized that participants in the ACOA group would have more insecurity in relationships than participants in the non-ACOA group. As anticipated, results supported a relationship between ACOA status and insecure relationship patterns. ACOA participants had greater insecurity in relationships as evidenced on three of four dimensions of insecure attachment. In addition, ACOAs reported lower levels of family satisfaction and cohesion and well as more insecure parent-child attachments than did non-ACOAs. ACOAs also experienced more physical and verbal aggression than non-ACOAs. Suggestions for future research and clinical implications are also discussed.

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