Verified Document

Children Of Alcoholic Parents It Is Generally Term Paper

Children of Alcoholic Parents It is generally accepted that alcoholism tends to run in families and that compared with children of non-alcoholics, children of alcoholic parents have approximately four time greater risk of becoming alcoholics themselves (Reich Pp). However, the causal factors that determine the development of alcohol abuse and dependence have not yet been conclusively determined (Reich Pp).

Studies from the 1950's and 1960's generally emphasized psychosocial explanation, such as "poor parenting, lack of good role models. And impoverished home life" (Reich Pp). Beginning in the 1970's, research has investigated heritable components in the familial transmission of alcoholism" (Reich Pp). Adoption studies analyses of half-siblings and studies comparing identical and fraternal twins have all provided evidence that genetic factors play a crucial role in the etiology of alcoholism (Reich Pp). Although there is strong evidence for a genetic contribution, few researchers would deny the influence of environmental factors in the development of alcoholism, such as maternal drinking during pregnancy, temperament and personality traits of the parents and children, "psychopathology in the parents and children. geographic location. family and community environment. religious involvement, academic failure, and association with deviant peers" (Reich Pp). And because some of these factors also have a genetic component, they may indirectly increase the genetic predisposition for alcoholism in some children of alcoholics (Reich Pp).

A1993 study revealed that children of alcoholic parents showed higher rates of oppositional and conduct disorders, but not attention deficit disorder (Shayka Pp). Moreover, children of alcoholic parents did not have significantly higher rates...

The children in this study also showed increased incidence of alcohol and other substance use but not abuse or dependence (Shayka Pp). The study revealed few differences with respect to self-esteem and achievement tests among the groups and "no differences in the rates of psychopathology between offspring of alcoholic vs. antisocial parents" (Shayka Pp). The study showed "that children of alcoholics exhibit high rates of psychopathology and may be at risk specifically for oppositional and conduct disorders but not for depression" (Shayka Pp). Furthermore, it is believed that "children of alcoholics are at risk not only for becoming alcoholic themselves but also for increased incidence of psychopathology during childhood and adolescence" (Shayka Pp).
Several studies have identified high levels of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and low educational goals as common personality characteristics of adolescent problem drinkers and these characteristics are in many aspects determined by the parental alcoholism and the effects of alcoholism on the family (Tomori Pp). "Unassertive parents are unable to enhance assertiveness in their children, nor can they promote their uneventful and trauma-free experiences separation process, one of the main axes of adolescent psychodynamics" (Tomori Pp). Children of alcoholics have feelings of rejection and constant fear of emotional loss throughout their childhood, culminating in adolescence when feelings become even more destructive and intensified by the adolescent's need for independence (Tomori Pp). Moreover, feelings of inferiority impede separation of children from alcoholic families, thus their loneliness provides an ideal breeding ground for the accumulating anxiety, self-rejection,…

Sources used in this document:
Work Cited

Nishioka, Elaine. "Helping children of alcoholics."

Journal of School Health; 11/1/1989; Pp.

Chassin, Laurie. "Academic Achievement in Adolescent Children of Alcoholics."

Journal of Studies on Alcohol; 1/1/1999; Pp.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Adult Children of Alcoholic Parents Compared With Adult Children...
Words: 10855 Length: 39 Document Type: Term Paper

Adult Children of Alcoholic Parents Compared with Adult Children of Non-Alcoholic Parents I Situations Faced by Children of Alcoholic Parent(s) II Behavior of Children with Alcoholic Parent(s) II Hypothesis #2 I The Possibility of Developing Alcoholism on ACOA's II ACOA's have Lower Self-Esteem Compared to Non-ACOA's Comparing the Differences Between ACOAs and Non-ACOAs in Terms of Social and Intimate Relationships IV Protective Factors For Resiliency I Participants II Instruments Annotated Bibliography Children of Alcoholics Screening Test Are You an Alcoholic? Intimate Bond Measure Emotional

Parenting Styles & Alcoholism in
Words: 6779 Length: 18 Document Type: Research Paper

Such parent is expected to show higher degree of neglect and rejection. Research conducted by Jackson et al. (1997) have shown that parenting styles that are not balanced are expected to enhance the chances of alcoholism in the child. Where authoritative style of parenting is highly balanced, it not only fulfills the needs of a child but also exerts the demand for the right behavior in a positive manner. The

Parenting Program for Women and
Words: 41621 Length: 150 Document Type: Thesis

There are many of these individuals, and it is time that this is changed. Parents often look away from these kinds of problems, or they spend their time in denial of the issue because they feel that their child will not be harmed by parental involvement with drugs or alcohol. Some parents have parents that were/are addicts themselves, and some are so busy with their lives that they do not

Teen Pregnancy and Parenting on
Words: 22066 Length: 75 Document Type: Research Proposal

Of these elements, they found anxiety sensitivity to be directly linked to lower levels of educational advancement. Anxiety sensitivity mainly comprises symptoms of anxiety leading to fear due to a certain belief that anxiety has dangerous somatic, psychological, or social penalties. In one study scholars found that the basic forms of fears were the playing field for a broad spectrum of fear-stimuli and they found that these basic forms of

How Dysfunctional Family Affects the Future of Children
Words: 1982 Length: 6 Document Type: Research Paper

Dysfunctional Family and Its Impact on Children's Future A dysfunctional family can be described as a family characterized by constant and regular misbehavior, conflict, and behavior that become accommodated by members as part of normal daily life. As a result, family dysfunction can be regarded as any abnormal situation that interferes or disrupts the normal functioning of a healthy family. While healthy families are not perfect since they experience misunderstandings, conflicts,

Brand Loyalties in Alcoholic Beverage
Words: 8770 Length: 35 Document Type: Thesis

6%, Nebraska -- 17.6%, Illinois -- 17.5%, Delaware -- 17.4%, Colorado -- 17.2%, Montana -- 17%, South Dakota -- 16.9%, Ohio -- 16.9%, Massachusetts -- 16.9%, District of Columbia -- 16.6%, Alaska -- 16.3%, Missouri -- 16.2%, Michigan -- 16.1%, Wyoming -- 16.1%, Vermont -- 16.1%, New Hampshire -- 16%, Texas -- 15.6%, Arizona -- 15.5%, New York -- 15.2%, Maine -- 14.9%, Connecticut -- 14.8%, California -- 14.7%, New

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now