Growing up in an alcoholic family system: The effect on anxiety and differentiation of self

doi:10.1016/S0899-3289(97)90014-6

Journal of Substance Abuse

Volume 9, 1997, Pages 161-170

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0899-3289(97)90014-6 Get rights and content

Abstract

Adults from alcoholic families of origin were compared to persons from non-alcoholic families on differentiation of self and state and trait anxiety. Data were collected from community college students, clients in a private psychotherapy practice, and individuals attending several community-based Al-anon/Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) meetings. A total of 112 volunteers met the criteria for participation in the study. Offspring from alcoholic families experienced higher levels of state and trait anxiety and lower levels of differentiation of self than offspring from non-alcoholic families.

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Growing up in an alcoholic family system: The effect on anxiety and differentiation of self

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Citation Excerpt :
Moreover, household dysfunctions such as living with a family member who is an alcoholic, drug addict, mentally ill, or one who has been incarcerated for certain crimes and offenses may also influence future life outcomes. For instance, children with family histories of substance abuse had higher levels of aggression, delinquency, sensation-seeking, hyperactivity, impulsivity, anxiety, negative affectivity, and difficulties in self-differentiation compared to children with no such histories (Dore, Kauffman, Nelson-Zlupko, & Gran-fort, 1996; Giancola & Parker, 2001; Maynard, 1997). Family history of alcohol dependence has also predicted poor adolescent neuropsychological functioning (Anda et al., 2006; Dube et al., 2006; Tapert & Brown, 2000).
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One thousand and sixty-eight (1,068) males and females aged 35 years and older, and residing in selected urban communities in Metro Manila participated in the cross-sectional survey.
A pretested local version of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaires developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA, was used. Data were collected through self-administration of the questionnaire. Prevalence and estimates of odds ratio were computed to obtain a measure of association among variables. Logistic regression analysis was employed to adjust for the potential confounding effects of age, sex, and socio-economic status.
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This study provided evidence that child maltreatment is a public health problem even in poorer environments. Prevention and early intervention of child maltreatment were recommended to reduce the prevalence of health-risk behavior and morbidity in later life.
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Growing up in an alcoholic family system: The effect on anxiety and differentiation of self

Abstract

Addictive Behaviors

Effects of alcohol on social anxiety in women: Cognitive versus physiological processes

Journal of Abnormal Psychology

Family therapy in clinical practice

Comorbidity of substance abuse and other psychiatric disorders in adolescents

American Journal of Psychiatry

Handbook for the IPAT Anxiety Scale

Neurogenetic adaptive mechanisms in alcoholism

Science

Inheritance of alcohol abuse: Cross-fostering analysis of adopted men

Archives of General Psychiatry

The Haber Level of Differentiation of Self Scale

Greater reinforcement from alcohol for those at risk: Parental risk, personality risk, and sex

Journal of Abnormal Psychology

Growing up in an alcoholic family system: The effect on anxiety and differentiation of self