An Exploratory Study Comparing ACoAs to Non-ACoAs on Current Family Relationships

Abstract

This study compares Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACoAs) with Non-ACoAS on current family relationships. Subjects included 437 participants who were divided into seven groups: Non- ACoA males; non-ACoA females, ACoA males, ACoA females, ACoA males who were alcoholic, ACoA females who were alcoholic and a group of ACoA females who were sexually abused. Participants completed the CAST Alcohol Screening Test, the Locke- Wallace Marital Adjustment Test, and a demographic questionnaire. Results indicated significant differences between the ACoA and Non- ACoA groups on comparative divorce rates, marital adjustment, and perception of the quality of the relationships with their spouses and their own children. ACoAs were also much more likely to marry someone from an alcoholic family system than Non-ACoAs.