Examining the well-being of nonclinical college students: Is knowledge of the presence of parental alcoholism useful?

Previous research has studied the assumed effects of parental alcoholism on children in rather narrow ways, which has resulted in misleading assumptions about the psychological well-being of adult children of alcoholics (ACAs). This study takes a broader perspective and confirms and extends prior research by examining the relationship of parental alcoholism and family functioning to problem-solving appraisal, perceived social support, interpersonal cognitive schema, and substance use. The 40 ACA participants were similar to the 40 non-ACAs on all measures except substance abuse: ACAs were at greater risk for moderate and high substance use. Participants from dysfunctional family systems reported more negative problem-solving appraisal and interpersonal cognitive schemata as compared with participants from functional family systems. Psychological adjustment appears multidetermined and not a simple consequence of parental alcoholism. Implications for future research are addressed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)