The relationship between parental alcoholism and the emotional coping of their adult children, 1990
Messerschmidt, Annemarie
1990-1999
The overall objective of this study was to examine the relationship between alcoholic parents and the emotional coping of their adult children. To attain this objective, theoretical perspectives were addressed in reference to: (a) alcoholism and the dynamics of the alcoholic family, (b) the family roles and rules, (c) characteristics of children reared in an alcoholic family, (d) the implications of these characteristics, and (e) clinical observations of the characteristics of adult children of alcoholics (ACOA's). A correlational research design was used. A descriptive questionnaire, adapted from Woititz (1983) and found to be reliable and valid in identifying personality characteristics among ACOA's, was administered to thirty-two individuals who were identified as ACOA's. The sample was selected from two adult children of alcoholics support groups in Atlanta, Georgia. The study hypothesized that there is no statistical significant relationship between parental alcoholism and the emotional coping of their adult children. With reference to those (84.7%) who identified their father as alcoholic and their emotional coping in adulthood, the contingency table. 2 analysis showed: x = .01678, d.f = 1, and P < .05. Based on these results, the null hypothesis was rejected. With reference to those (34.4%) who identified their mother as alcoholic and their emotional coping in adulthood, the contingency table analysis showed: x^ = .47603, d.f = 1, and P> .05. The null hypothesis was accepted. This study has ramifications for social work professionals to further ascertain the impact that alcoholism has on the family system. Social work literature is limited, especially related to adult children of alcoholics. This study will therefore present as a resource in enhancing the social work literature.
text
application/pdf
1990-07-01
thesis
Master of Science (MS)
Clark Atlanta University
School of Social Work
Ward, Naomi
Georgia--Atlanta
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/cau.td:1990_messerschmidt_annemarie