Three Generations' Age-Related Communication Patterns as Predictors of Grandchildren's Alcohol Use Disorder Symptoms

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a significant public health concern, particularly among young adults.
• Family dynamics and communication patterns play a crucial role in the development and manifestation of AUD symptoms.
• Existing research often overlooks the intergenerational transmission of communication styles related to aging and its influence on AUD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between age-related communication patterns within families (grandparents, parents, grandchildren) and AUD symptoms in young adult grandchildren.
• To explore how different communication styles related to aging (e.g., optimism, pessimism, excuses, banter) predict AUD symptomology.
• To understand the role of these communication patterns in the context of successful aging and resilience within families.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data collected from three generations: grandparents, parents, and young adult grandchildren.
• Examined age-related communication patterns of all family members as predictors of grandchildren's AUD symptoms.
• Controlled for confounding variables including depressive symptoms, parental/grandparental alcohol consumption, and relational closeness.

Main Results:

• Families with 'gloomy' parents exhibited fewer AUD symptoms in grandchildren compared to families with 'engaged' parents.
• Families with 'bantering' or 'gloomy' grandparents showed higher AUD symptoms in grandchildren relative to families with 'engaged' grandparents.
• Specific age-related communication styles significantly predicted AUD symptoms, even after accounting for various covariates.

Conclusions:

• Intergenerational communication about aging is a significant factor influencing AUD risk in young adults.
• Family communication styles, particularly those of grandparents, can either mitigate or exacerbate AUD symptoms.
• Findings contribute to the communicative ecology model of successful aging and highlight pathways for cultivating family resilience.