Familial factors and attachment styles of male and female adult children of alcoholics

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.

Date of Award	2011
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	Eastern Illinois University
Supervisor	Anu Sharma (Supervisor)