One hundred and twenty participants (sixty couples) provided reports of their perceptions of the functioning of their families of origin (intimacy, individuation, intimidation, and triangulation), current nuclear family relationships (intimacy, individuation, personal authority, and triangulation), and level of codependence. Sixty of the participants (30 recovering alcoholics and their spouses) formed a clinical group; the remaining sixty (30 matched comparisons and their spouses) formed a comparison group. The participants also provided relevant background information. Chi-square analyses were used to explore the nature of the sample and supported the general comparability of clinical and comparison groups. Analyses of variance were used to investigate potential differences between and within groups with respect to intergenerational functioning and level of codependence. These analyses revealed highly significant differences between clinical and comparison groups, and very few differences between spouses in either group, in terms of intergenerational family functioning and level of codependence. Both correlational analysis and multiple regression were used to explore the relationship of continuous background variables, intergenerational functioning and level of codependence. Codependence within the clinical population is predicted by family of origin factors, whereas within the comparison population it is more likely to be predicted by spousal factors. Nine of the original 60 sixty couples were subsequently involved in a qualitative phase of the study. These couples, reporting varying levels of codependence, participated in semi-structured interviews. The stories told by the high, low and difference in codependence groups were generally congruent with the results of the analysis of the quantitative data. The results of the study generally support the prospects of using Bowen's Family Systems Theory in explaining the various manifestations of family of origin dysfunction, including codependence. The study also clarifies the theoretical connection between evolving notions regarding codependence and the intergenerational family system emotional context. / Ph. D.

There is no abstract available for this thesis. / Department of Communication Studies

Many studies have explored the relationship of one's alcohol use both to family environment and to the drinking behavior of the parents. However, most of these studies have used clinical samples. The participants in this study were from a non-clinical, college undergraduate sample (N = 206). The sample included 69% females and 31% males who were primarily Caucasian.A causal path model was used to assess the relationships between familial alcohol use, the perceptions of family environment, propensity for substance use, and actual alcohol use. Participants completed the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) for themselves, their parents, and one sibling. Family environment measures completed by participants included: the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test (CAST) to measure the "experience" of family alcohol use; the Family of Origin Scale (FOS) as a measure of the family affectional environment; and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales (FACES Ill) as a measure of family structural and relational factors. The MacAndrew Scale (MAC) was completed to assess the propensity for substance use.A path analysis of the proposed model indicated that family alcohol use did not exert a significant direct effect on propensity for or actual use of alcohol, nor did it exert any significant effect on the family affectional environment. Each of these is a rather surprising result and contrary to results of previous studies. However, family alcohol use significantly affected the "experience" of living in such a family environment, especially when alcohol use became more problematic. Family alcohol use, mediated by this "experience," had significant effects on family structural components of leadership and control, as measured by FACES III. The "experience" of family alcohol use was significantly and negatively related to the affectional environment of the family. The indirect effects of this "experience" were significant only through the control component of family structure and direct effects this "experience" were significant only for actual use of alcohol. Propensity for use and actual use were also significantly related as was expected.Nearly 50% of the sample indicated a propensity for use (MAC > 24), actual problematic use of alcohol (MAST > 5), or both, when using the standard cutoff scores of these instruments. It appears that further analysis of family influences on these behaviors, especially those behaviors that create difficulties in life, is warranted. Treatment approaches have typically maintained that improved family affective and relational environments are primary treatment goals. That the affectional environment of the family was not significantly affected by familial use of alcohol was another unexpected outcome and also warrants further study. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

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.

No description available.

This study's objective was to research viewpoints on intimacy and sexuality among recovering alcholics.

This participatory research journey looked at the lives of adult children of alcoholics, with particular reference to how identity is affected by growing up in a home where one or both parents are struggling with alcohol abuse, and how this struggle with identity carries through into adulthood. A study was made of the particular discourses which impacted negatively upon the child from this home and the manner in which the discourses had a negative impact later on as an adult. Through narrative pastoral conversations the possibilities for healing, as well as the barriers for healing were explored. Through this exploration alternative stories were created. A vital part of the study was focused upon the witnessing of the stories of the participants` lives and the acknowledgement of some of the events from their childhood that formed their identity and contributed to who they are today. / Practical Theology / M.Th. (Practical Theology)

This participatory research journey looked at the lives of adult children of alcoholics, with particular reference to how identity is affected by growing up in a home where one or both parents are struggling with alcohol abuse, and how this struggle with identity carries through into adulthood. A study was made of the particular discourses which impacted negatively upon the child from this home and the manner in which the discourses had a negative impact later on as an adult. Through narrative pastoral conversations the possibilities for healing, as well as the barriers for healing were explored. Through this exploration alternative stories were created. A vital part of the study was focused upon the witnessing of the stories of the participants` lives and the acknowledgement of some of the events from their childhood that formed their identity and contributed to who they are today. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Practical Theology)

D.Ed. (Educational Psychology) / As a family constitutes the primary educational relationship of a child, and a child's development depends almost entirely on these relationships, it stands to reason that one would expect children with well-balanced personalities to be found in families characterized by a reasonable degree of sound family relationships that ensure concern, care, love and guidance. This is because men and women are not only themselves; they are also the region in which they were born, the city apartment or farm where they learned to walk, the games they played as children, the old wives' tales they overheard, the food they ate, the schools they attended, the sports they participated in, the poems they read and the God they believe in. Man is thus not only himself, but also what his environment makes of him (Purkey, 1970:34; Loubser, 1993: 13). It can,therefore, be concluded that children who grow up in an unhealthy family will probably grow up unhealthy as a result...

Researchers agree that there is a relationship between alcoholism and domestic violence but theoretical perspectives have not established a correlation between the variables. Alcoholism and domestic violence are a manifestation of a complex system of family interactions characterized by inadequate communication skills.