Parental Recovery as a Moderating Variable of Adult Offspring Problematic Behaviors

Abstract

This study developed a reliable and valid instrument that assessed parental recovery from addictive behaviors. Additionally, the potential moderating role of parental recovery on the association between parental addiction and offspring problematic behaviors was examined. The study was conducted utilizing 928 undergraduate students attending a large southwestern, public university. It was predicted that college students with parents in recovery from addiction would evidence significantly less problematic addictive behaviors than students without parental recovery. The Family Addiction and Recovery Scale (FARS) was found to be reliable and valid in assessing family addiction and recovery and the potential moderating variable role of family recovery raised questions for the focus of future research and intervention.