The interaction of parental alcoholism, adaptation role, and familial dysfunction.
Many people believe that parental alcoholism has adverse consequences on children-some research fails to support this hypothesis. Familial dysfunction is often regarded as having a more important impact on adults, perhaps because of a failure to recognize that adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) may have adopted more than one coping strategy. The present study investigated within-group differences in psychological symptomology as measured by the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI). ACOAs, were compared by roles (Hero, Mascot, Lost Child, and Scapegoat) to non-ACOAs as measured by familial dysfunction and roles. MANOVA indicated significant main effects of dysfunction, role, ACOA, and an interaction of role and ACOA. Failures to recognize the impact of parental alcoholism may be caused by multiple adaptation strategies.
Scharff
Judith L
JL
Department of Psychology, University of New England, 11 Beach Hill Road, Biddeford, ME 04005, USA. jscharff@une.edu
Broida
John P
JP
Conway
Kim
K
Yue
Alicia
A
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D005192:Family Health; D006801:Humans; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D012380:Role