Thesis (D. Min.)--Denver Seminary, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-148).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Denver Seminary, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-148).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Denver Seminary, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-148).

Difficulties in interpersonal functioning have been consistently reported in the literature as a proposed negative outcome for adult children of problem drinkers. The existing literature has largely privileged the quantitative paradigm, which has conceptualised this group's relationship functioning through theoretically driven categories and concepts. The result has been a predominantly negative picture lacking utility, as well as neglecting important contextual processes and the inherent complexity and fluidity of human relationships. The aim of this study was to gain a richer understanding through exploring adult children of problem drinkers lived experience of relationships. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six individuals who grew up with at least one problem drinking parent. Transcripts of the interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Four main themes emerged across participants accounts: 'Moving from 'bewilderment' to seeking clarity and stability in relationships', 'Remembering feeling unsafe and finding safety in relationships', 'Moving from invisibility towards finding a sense of self' and 'Making a choice to change my relationships'. The findings offer an alternative understanding of this group's experiences of relationships which are discussed in relation to the existing literature. Clinical Implications and suggestions for further research are considered.

The purpose of this study was to re-examine the issue of whether adult children of alcoholics experience more depression, anxiety, and lower self-esteem than do children of non-alcoholic families. This study is a replication of the study of David Dodd, entitled A Comparison of Adult Children of Alcoholic Families with Adult Children from Non-Alcoholic Families. 1990. The measures used in this study were as follows: Children of Alcoholics Screening Test, the Beck Depression Inventory, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Coopersmith Adult Self-Esteem Inventory, and a questionnaire developed by this writer designed to obtain family history regarding not only alcoholism, but other issues of family dysfunctionality as well. The subjects for this study were 231 students enrolled in the counselor education program at this university, all aged 19 or older. Of the 230 subjects, 31 were male and 199 were female. Eleven males identified themselves as children of alcoholics, as measured by the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test, and 60 females identified themselves as children of alcoholics. Thus, a total of 71 subjects in this study were identified as children of alcoholics. T-tests were conducted to see whether any differences existed between the male and female groups. No significant differences were found. Results of this study showed that family dysfunctionality rather than parental alcoholism was the factor of variability regarding depression, anxiety, and self-esteem. There appears to be a strong relationship between parental alcoholism and family dysfunctionality, but dysfunctionality clearly has more impact upon depression, anxiety, and self-esteem in the adult children of these families than does alcoholism.

The present study assessed 351 undergraduate subjects on dimensions of parental alcohol abuse, childhood family environment, childhood social support, current coping style, current negative life experiences, current psychological symptomatology, and current indices of drug and alcohol abuse. Results indicated that, while paternal alcohol abuse, in and of itself, was not related to any of the outcome measures, maternal alcoholism was correlated with one measure of alcohol abuse and three measures of drug abuse, and was independently predictive of a portion of the variance of one alcohol abuse measure among subjects. Early environmental factors (family environment and low levels of social support), as well as current coping style and current negative life experiences, were found to be related to psychological symptomatology and to indices of drug and alcohol abuse. coping style was also found to be related to early family environment and to childhood social support, suggesting that coping style may have its developmental roots in early environmental factors. An interaction between paternal alcohol abuse and disengagement coping style was shown to be predictive of a portion of the variance of subjects' alcohol abuse. Interactions between maternal alcoholism and low level of social support were predictive of a portion of the variance of subjects' drug abuse. / Master of Science

The problem of this study was to assess the impact of growing up in an alcoholic family on adult personality strengths and to determine the perceived levels of autonomy and intimacy in the family of origin. The sample consisted of 115 volunteers, 84 women and 31 men, ages 22 years and older, who had at least one alcoholic parent. The 16 Personality Factor Questionnaires (16 PF) and the Family of Origin Scale (FOS) were administered. A 1 X 3 Chi Square Goodness of Fit analysis was used on each of the 16 personality factors to determine the personality strengths of adult children of alcoholics (ACA). A simple discriminate function analysis was used to determine the degree to which assessed strengths on the 16 PF discriminated self-reported levels of autonomy and intimacy in the family of origin. A multiple regression analysis was used to determine which 16 PF were more closely related to perceived autonomy and intimacy in the family of origin as measured by the FOS.

115 undergraduate students were surveyed to see if attributional style would be different for individuals with alcoholic parents, depressed parents, or neither factor. Subjects were sorted into the three groups based on their responses to a family history questionnaire. Each subject filled out two attributional style questionnaires, the Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ) and the Attributional Style Assessment Test (ASAT-II). The three groups did not differ on attributional style for interpersonal, noninter- personal, or general situations. Within the adult children of alcoholics group, subjects reported that their successes in interpersonal situations were due to their strategy and effort, rather than ability, more so than for noninterpersonal successes.

No description available.

Combining psychology literature, social media platforms and collaboration with online communities, this visual communication project explores the experiences and struggles of people that have grown up in dysfunctional households. The intent of this project is to share stories from people who struggle with feeling mentally stuck, in order to fight the stigma surrounding mental health related issues.