NCJ Number
197595
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 32 Issue: 3 Dated: 2002 Pages: 195-211
Editor(s)
Robert M. Huff M.P.H,
Michael V. Kline M.P.H,
James Robinson ED.D.
Date Published
2002
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study compared Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOAs), adults who had experienced traumatic experiences as children and a control group on several measures of adjustment. The results are compared to previous research studies on ACOAs and non-ACOAs.
Abstract
With widespread problems associated with alcoholism, research has focused on how growing up in an environment where alcohol is abused impacts children. Prior research has indicated that adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) display a wide range of social and personal adjustment difficulties. This study assessed traumatic experience symptomatology, resiliency factors, and stress among adults who had experienced alcoholism with their family of origin in comparison to adults who as children experienced traumatic life events other than alcoholism and those who indicated neither problem during their childhood. One hundred and forty-one participants were recruited on a volunteer basis from undergraduate psychology classes at a medium size university in eastern North Carolina. These three groups were administered an information questionnaire, the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test (CAST), the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), the Hall Resiliency Scale (HRS), and the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI). From the various measures of psychological functioning used, this study provides a dramatic depiction of what ACOAs regularly experience as adults. Predominating themes interfering with their ability to establish and maintain meaningful relationships with others include elevated levels of stress, anger, and irritability and feelings of being different in a negative way. Early family-of-origin experiences for the relatively resilient ACOAs may establish a pattern where negative events are correlated. The findings are significant in collegiate settings and counseling programs dealing with these individuals in life crisis situations. References