Impact of Childhood Trauma and Parents' Problem Drinking on Problem Drinking of their University Student Children: Mediating Effects of Experiential Avoidance

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effects of experiential avoidance on the impact of childhood trauma and parent problem drinking on problem drinking of the university student children of theses parents. Methods: This study was conducted using a descriptive survey design. Participants were 250 university students from four universities in Gwangju city, Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Gyongsangnam-do. Data were collected from March 2 to March 31 2015 using self-report questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19.0. Results: There were significant positive correlations between childhood trauma, parent problem drinking, experiential avoidance and university students’ problem drinking. It was found that experiential avoidance partially mediated the relationship between parent problem drinking and university students’ problem drinking. Also, it was found that experiential avoidance fully mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and university students’ problem drinking. Conclusion: Based on the present findings, nursing interventions should be developed to decrease experiential avoidance, with additional consideration of childhood trauma and parent problem drinking, in order to prevent problem drinking among university students.