Parental alcoholism and adolescent ego identity.

Abstract

Using the Eriksonian theory of ego development, this study focused on the ego identity of adolescents with one alcoholic parent. Fifty adolescents with and 87 adolescents without one alcoholic parent were purposively sampled to respond to a 72-item survey questionnaire. Forty-four adolescents with one alcoholic parent were then matched on age, sex, and socioeconomic level and were compared with 44 adolescents in the sample without an alcoholic parent. Adolescents with one alcoholic parent scored significantly lower on ego identity than did those without an alcoholic parent. This difference was particularly evident in younger adolescents. The groups also differed significantly on extended school absences due to illness. No significant differences between groups were observed relative to the personal use of alcohol. Findings from this study point to important assessment and intervention strategies for community and school-based nurses. Children of alcoholics are at risk for developing intellectual, physical, and psychosocial problems (El-Guebly & Offord, 1977; Gabrielli & Mednick, 1983; Halmi & Loney, 1973; Hegedus, Alterman, & Tarter, 1984; Hughes, 1977; Midanik, 1983). Isolation of the alcoholic family; magnified negative family interactions; and an unpredictable, unstable household environment are major contributors to decreased academic achievement, increased physical abuse, school absenteeism, and drug/ alcohol use in the adolescent. Although significant issues in their own right, these problems also potentially contribute to and interfere with a major developmental task