Graduate Program
Clinical Psychology
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Semester of Degree Completion
2011
Thesis Director
Anu Sharma
Thesis Committee Member
Ronan Bernas
Thesis Committee Member
Marjorie Hanft-Martone
Abstract
In the United States, alcohol use disorders represent some of the most prevalent mental health disorders. Research has begun to explore parental alcoholism and its impact on children and families. The present study sought to examine the relationship between parental alcoholism and adult attachment styles in adult children of alcoholics (A CO As), as well as the relationship with several familial factors such as gender of the alcoholabusing parent, family cohesion, family satisfaction, parent-child attachment, physical abuse, and verbal abuse. A sample of 223 college students completed a series of measures on parental alcoholism, family cohesion, family satisfaction, parent-child attachment, self-esteem, physical abuse, and verbal abuse. Based on endorsement of parental alcoholism through a yes/no demographic question or the total score on the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test, participants were categorized as either ACOA or non-ACOA. It was hypothesized and supported that ACOA participants would report more insecure attachment in adult relationships, more physical and verbal abuse, more insecure parentchild attachment, less family cohesion, and less family satisfaction than non-ACOAs. These factors (i.e., family satisfaction, family cohesion, parent child attachment, verbal abuse and physical abuse) were also predictors of adult relationship attachment among ACOAs accounting for 22% of the variance. Furthermore, less attachment with fathers and presence of verbal abuse were most predictive of insecure adult attachment among ACOAs. The differential impact of alcohol-abusing parent gender on family factors and an outcome variable was also explored and partially supported. Results indicated that ACOAs with two substance abusing parents experienced significantly more physical abuse, more verbal abuse, and less family satisfaction than ACOAs with either a substance using father or mother. Finally, it was predicted and supported that family cohesion, family satisfaction, parent-child attachment, and verbal abuse would mediate the relationship between ACOA status and adult attachment style. Family satisfaction, parent-child attachment, and verbal abuse, therefore, buffer the potential negative impact of parental alcoholism on long-term offspring adjustment. Suggestions for future research and clinical implications are also discussed.
Recommended Citation
Decker, Kristina M., "Familial factors and attachment styles of male and female adult children of alcoholics" (2011). Masters Theses. 872.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/872
