Abstract
Children are vulnerable when exposed to parental alcohol abuse. Although much isknown about children of alcoholics (COA), research examining the experiences ofyounger COA is scarce. To gain knowledge of the consequences for these children, itis important to ask the children themselves. This study explored the consequencesfor a child of having an alcoholic parent, from the point of view of 7–9-year-oldCOA. Eighteen children were interviewed, whose alcoholic parent was undergoingtreatment, using a vignette. In the analysis, using qualitative content analysis,the findings show that the children of this young age had much experiences and tooka great responsibility for their alcoholic parent, and the family. The mostsignificant feeling of the children was a feeling of sadness. They tried to controlthe situation in different ways. They wished for a change in the future, but despiteproblems in the family they described things they did together with a loving parent.Implications include the importance of listening to and supporting all COA, alsochildren as young as 7–9 years old. Further studies should address the support thatcan and should be offered to COA.
Highlights
Decades of research have revealed that children who grow up in families with parental alcohol problems are at risk of several psychological, behavioral, cognitive, and social problems (Brunnberg, Eriksson, & Tinnfält, 2007; Christensen & Bilenberg, 2000; Park & Schepp, 2015)
Research indicates that children of alcoholics (COA) are more likely to themselves become alcoholics in later life, and inter-generational transmission of alcohol addiction is well documented among COA (Johnson & Leff, 1999)
The results show the consequences for a child of having an alcoholic parent from the point of view of 7–9-year-old COA
Summary
Decades of research have revealed that children who grow up in families with parental alcohol problems are at risk of several psychological, behavioral, cognitive, and social problems (Brunnberg, Eriksson, & Tinnfält, 2007; Christensen & Bilenberg, 2000; Park & Schepp, 2015). These risks include early onset of alcohol problems and substance abuse, and drinking more alcohol than other young people (Chalder, Elgar, & Bennett, 2005; Chassin, Pitts, DeLucia, & Todd, 1999; Hussong et al, 2008; Wong et al, 2006). Up to 40% of children are affected by domestic violence (Evans, Davies, & DiLillo, 2008; Kassis, Artz, Scambor, Scambor, & Moldenhauer, 2013; Zhu & Dalal, 2010), including violence where parental alcohol problems are the cause
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