This literary analysis examines the emergence of children of alcoholics narratives and their growth from "resource" texts to literary subgenre. While early texts offer useful information about parental alcoholism, they are also limited. Namely, they do not adequately mirror the diversity of children, families, and problems associated…

Stressful life events are an important risk factor for psychopathology among children and adolescents. However, variation in life stress may be both stable and time-varying with associated differences in the antecedents. We tested, using latent variable modeling, a state-trait model of stressful life events in adolescence, and predictors of…

This document is intended to be used by school personnel when helping students with home problems. Section 1 suggests four ways school personnel may help students with alcoholic parents: listen and communicate; be aware of one's own limitations and do not attempt to change the student's home environment; foster primary relationships; and remain…

Children of alcoholics/addicts (COAs) are at a greater risk to develop alcohol and drug dependency, eating disorders, attention deficit disorders, stress-related illness, and suicidal behavior. Children become part of a conspiracy of silence by being told not to talk about the drug problem. The family members assume different roles which…

Life in the alcoholic family is characterized by inconsistency, unpredictability, distrust, denial, and lack of affection, attention, and interest by the parents. Children who are raised in such an environment experience a loss of self-esteem and suffer long- and short-term negative consequences. The role of the counselor and counseling strategies…

The study explores the role of race and differences in coping among 290 white women and black women with and without alcoholic parents, addressing two questions: (1) Does coping vary by parental alcoholism or race? and (2) How is coping in adulthood affected by childhood stressors and resources and by adulthood resources? Standardized…

This document is intended to be used by therapists who are working with children of alcoholics and are concerned with issues of self-worth and trust. Section 1 asserts that in order to help clients who have an alcoholic parent overcome personal inadequacies, three critical areas may need to be considered: conditions for effecting positive…

This document is intended to educate parents and children on alcoholism. It suggests that although it is desirable for alcoholic parents to stop drinking, it is not necessary for them to do so before beginning to support the emotional growth of their children. Section 1 provides parents with guidelines to use when helping their children overcome…

Reviews recent literature, finding support for hypothesis that power of alcoholic parent within household is related to whether offspring become alcoholic. In considering reasons for this relationship, suggests that children and adolescents are more likely to emulate and identify with powerful alcoholic parent and, thus, learn that alcohol can…

Data from an ongoing longitudinal study examined resilience (competent performance under adverse conditions) in a community sample of children of alcoholics (COAs n=216) and matched controls (n=201). The study examined the prevalence of competence and whether the relation of competence to internalizing and positive affect differed for COAs and…

In the current study, the authors tested the hypothesis that children of alcoholic parents (COAs) show deficits in social competence that begin in early childhood and escalate through middle adolescence. Teachers, parents, and children reported on the social competence of COAs and matched controls in a community sample assessed from ages 6 to 15.…

While some children may experience negative consequences as the result of growing up with an alcoholic parent, the majority will never develop any difficulties. This article examines how adolescent children of alcoholics can be supported by using positive, strengths-based approaches which focus on existing skills and abilities, rather than…

Compared characteristics of female alcoholics receiving treatment with those of male alcoholics. Found male subjects had more psychosocial problems and had more contact with the child welfare authorities during their childhood than did the females. However, the females' offspring had had more such contact than the males' offspring. Socioeconomic…

Attempts to delineate indicators in children's depictions of family that suggest the presence of parental alcoholism. Kinetic Family Drawings from two groups of children were collected. Statistical analysis revealed two of six items of the evaluation - depiction of isolation of self and isolation of other family members - were significantly higher…

Examines the problems and needs of the estimated seven million children who are growing up in alcoholic home environments--and the implications for professionals involved with young children. (HOD)