Developmental Perspectives on Risk and Vulnerability in Alcoholic Families

Abstract

Discusses 4 longitudinal studies of the adaptation of children of alcoholics across developmental transitions. The 1st study examined the impact of a father's alcoholism on parenting and infant development. The results indicate that the fathers' alcoholism was associated with higher levels of parental maternal antisocial behavior and depression, and partner aggression. The 2nd study examined the relationship between individual differences in internalizing and externalizing behavior and how parent psychopathology affected both internalizing and externalizing problems. The results suggest that changes in internalizing and externalizing behavior over time are closely related to one another and paternal, and maternal psychopathology have different effects on the development of childhood behavior problems. The 3rd study examined whether children of alcoholics (COAs) are more likely than their peers to demonstrate difficulties in negotiation the leaving home transition. The results indicate that COAs 1st left the home at a younger age than their peers, and experienced more conflict and less agreement with their parents in negotiating this transition. The 4th study reports on preliminary findings from a longitudinal study of drinking from the time of marriage through the second anniversary. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved).