Characterizing the Life Stressors of Children of Alcoholic Parents

Andrea M. Hussong, Daniel J. Bauer, Wenjing Huang, Laurie Chassin, Kenneth J. Sher, Robert A. Zucker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Scopus citations

Abstract

The current study examined differences between children of alcoholic (COAs) and nonalcoholic parents in their experience of negative life events across 3 longitudinal studies together spanning the first 3 decades of life. The authors posited that COAs would differ from their peers in the life domains in which they are vulnerable to stressors, in the recurrence of stressors, and in the severity of stressors. Scale- and item-level analyses of adjusted odds ratios based on stressors across 7 life domains showed that COAs consistently reported greater risk for stressors in the family domain. COAs were also more likely to experience stressors repetitively and to rate their stressors as more severe (in adulthood). Implications for prevention and intervention programs targeting this risk group are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)819-832
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Family Psychology
Volume22
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2008

Keywords

  • children of alcoholic parents
  • family
  • life stress

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Psychology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Characterizing the Life Stressors of Children of Alcoholic Parents'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this