The transmission of psychological vulnerability. Implications for alcoholism etiology

The literature concerning inherited psychological vulnerabilities for alcoholism in males is reviewed, with particular attention to the high risk and familial alcoholism paradigms. The findings with these two methods were shown to be in basic agreement with those obtained from the twin study and adoption paradigms in revealing childhood conduct disorder and hyperactivity to be possible psychological vulnerabilities for alcoholism. The finding from the high risk and familial alcoholism studies also indicated that earlier and more severe alcoholism, other childhood behavioral disturbances, and greater adult psychopathology may also be among the inherited psychological vulnerabilities. It is concluded that the high risk and familial alcoholism paradigms are promising strategies for the preliminary investigation of psychological and biological vulnerabilities associated with alcoholism. The implications of the findings in terms of the etiology and prevention of alcoholism, some methodological considerations, and directions for future research are discussed.