Alcoholism is a disease that affects more than the alcoholics themselves. Alcoholism impacts family members, people who live with them, and especially their children (Steinglass, 1987). In fact, the offspring of alcoholics represent the largest number of people affected by the disease alcoholism (Woititz, 1983). Moreover, the population of adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) often display specific traits. ACOAs often guess at what normal behaviour is, have difficulty completing projects, lie when it is just as easy to tell the truth, judge themselves without mercy, have difficulty with intimate relationships, overreact to changes they cannot control, constantly seek approval and affirmation, feel that they are different from others, are …show more content…
Of the 616 participants, 138 (22%) reported having an alcoholic parent. In the study, group differences among ACOAs and non-ACOAs were investigated with regards to several aspects of interpersonal relations, including spousal satisfaction, social support, and perceptions of what parental behaviour should look like and coping strategies used in parental interactions with their children. The results of this study indicated that ACOAs have higher levels of depression, and lower levels of self esteem than their non ACOA peers; however, the levels were not considered to be pathological. ACOAs reported lower levels of family cohesion and marital satisfaction and high levels of interpersonal conflict. Additionally, these ACOAs reported lower levels of perceived support in three domains: belongingness, tangible support, and support appraisal. The results of this study seem to indicate that ACOAs experience a childhood that lacks care and support with negative consequences that not only affect an individual’s self image, but also have long term effects on one’s relationships and ability to parent later in life. However, an important highlight in this study is the fact that not every ACOAs experience is the same and home environment, relationship with parent, and drinking behaviours all play a part in the ACOAs ability to exhibit resilience or not. Another aspect of this study discussed comparisons in alcohol and drug use between ACOAs and non-ACOAs. It was found that the two groups did not differ in substance use (alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana), or with respect to social or enhancement motives for drinking; however, although there was no difference in amount of alcohol consumption, the study did find that ACOAs reported drinking