This document illustrates the development and presentation of a workshop given to the King County Alcohol Training Consortium in King County, Washington as a 4-hour training session. It is divided into five sections and a bibliography. The first section explains the purpose of the booklet. Section II concerns the Alcohol/Elderly Network and…

Although research on children of alcoholics indicates that they are at high risk for later problem drinking, the etiological dynamics associated with this heightened risk status are not yet understood. This study compared the alcohol-related beliefs of subjects who possessed close relatives with alcohol problems with alcohol-related beliefs of…

Notes that adult children of alcoholics attending college present unique problems and opportunities to the college counselor. Presents a treatment model for serving such students which identifies four survivor roles and their manifestations, and suggests counseling techniques for each role. (Author/NB)

Presents analysis of adult children of alcoholics, their experience and adjustment in relation to the severity and type of alcoholism, age considerations and perceptions as a child, and existence and nature of significant others. Discusses alcoholics' and others' family issues, focusing on roles taken, and personality characteristics. Emphasizes…

Investigated personality characteristics of adult children of alcoholics (ACAs) by using the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test and the Personal Orientation Inventory with undergraduate and graduate college students (N=41). Results indicated there were no significant differences between the ACAs and nonACAs in identifying feelings, expressing…

Based on a path analytic model, examines how chronic career indecision may develop as a result of growing up in an alcohol-related dysfunctional family. Concludes that, to improve the effectiveness of career counseling, more attention must be paid to differential diagnosis and appropriate intervention plans for clients. (ABL)

Few empirical studies have been conducted to determine the characteristics and functioning of Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACoAs). This study examined the emotional and behavioral wellness of college students (N=253) raised in a variety of family environments with varying levels of healthy/unhealthy functioning. For the purposes of this study…

Discusses survival roles adopted by children growing up in families where alcohol is abused, relating them to birth order, and emphasizing their maladaptivity for later adult interactions. Presents case studies of two common roles of adult children of alcoholics (ACAs), those of hero and scapegoat, and demonstrates how ACAs interact in a mixed,…

Surveyed 97 adults self-identified as coming from dysfunctional families. Although level of family dysfunction was generally high, no significant differences were observed between adult children of alcoholics and adults from families whose dysfunction was not due to substance abuse. Degree of family dysfunction was significantly associated with…

The issue of children of alcoholics (COAs) is discussed in this document, focusing on COAs in school. The topics of authority in the family and family relationships are discussed. The roles (hero, lost child, mascot) COAs adopt and how these roles are manifested in school are discussed. It is noted that COAs are seeking to have fundamental needs…

Examined relationship of parental alcoholism and family functioning to problem-solving appraisal, social support, interpersonal cognitive schema, and substance use among 40 adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) and 40 non-ACOAs. Participants from dysfunctional families reported more negative problem-solving appraisal and interpersonal cognitive…

Perfectionism is associated with many traits in the documented ACOA personality profile. Perfectionism instrument scores of 36 ACOA clients were compared with 173 nonclinical, non-ACOA university students. No statistical differences were found. ACOA group showed significantly higher scores on three subscales designed to measure maladaptive…

Family relationship quality, not parental alcohol use, predicted levels of depression and self-esteem in 201 college students. Witnessing spousal abuse related to increased depression in adult children of alcoholics, whole poorer family relationship quality was associated with lower self-esteem, suggesting the experience of paternal alcoholism is…