An examination of the relationship between coping with stress and alcoholism in adult children of alcoholics

Given that alcoholism can be transmitted intergenerationally, some adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) may be at risk of becoming alcoholic. The present research examined the process of appraisal and coping with stress, in relation to alcoholism in adult children of alcoholics. Subjects included 162 adult women recruited throughout a rural community. Subjects completed a survey containing measures to assess their appraisal and coping strategies, whether they were alcoholic, and whether they were adult children of alcoholic parent(s). The results suggested that the rate of alcoholism was higher among A CO As than non-ACOAs indicating that ACOAs may be at risk for the intergenerational transmission of alcoholism. ACOAs were found to use appraisals of "I had to accept it or get used to it" less frequently than non-ACOAs in interpersonal stressful situations. This suggested that ACOAs appraise such stressful situations as controllable or changeable more frequently than non-ACOAs. In contrast, ACOAs and non-ACOAs were found to use the appraisal "I had to hold myself back from doing what I wanted to do", problem-focused and emotion-focused coping similarly in interpersonal and non-interpersonal stressful situations. This suggested that ACOAs are no different from non-ACOAs in regards to appraisal and coping. The study concludes by discussing the implications for therapeutic support of ACOAs and suggestions for future research.