Heterogeneity in the families of sons of alcoholics: the impact of familial vulnerability type on offspring characteristics.
In 2 samples of sons of alcoholics (family history positive for alcoholism; FHP: N = 74 & N = 72), cluster analyses identified 3 subtypes of familial vulnerability: 1 with low levels of familial psychopathology (FHP-LP) and moderate levels of familial alcoholism; a 2nd with high levels of familial antisocial personality (FHP-ASP), violence, and alcoholism; and a 3rd with high levels of familial depression (FHP-DEP), mania, anxiety disorder, and alcoholism. Compared with family history negative (FHN) participants (N = 106), FHP offspring had higher levels of alcohol problems. FHP-ASP offspring had elevated levels of antisocial traits and negative affect. Compared with FHN participants, FHP-DEP offspring elevated levels of antisocial traits, hypomania, and experience seeking. FHP-LP offspring had moderate levels of antisocial traits.
Finn
P R
PR
Psychological Clinic, Indiana University, Bloomington 47405, USA. finnp@ucs.indiana.edu
Sharkansky
E J
EJ
Viken
R
R
West
T L
TL
Sandy
J
J
Bufferd
G M
GM
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000150:complications*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005192:Family Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications*