Intrapersonal and interpersonal functioning among middle-aged female adult children of alcoholics

This study examined group differences among a middle-aged, middle-class, community sample (N = 616) of female adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) and female non-ACOAs with regard to features of intra- and interpersonal functioning. Consistent with previous research, ACOAs reported higher levels of depression and lower levels of self-esteem. ACOAs also reported lower levels of perceived social support, family cohesion, and marital satisfaction and higher levels of marital conflict. ACOAs also indicated more parental role distress and perceived themselves as more powerless than non-ACOAs to control the actions of their offspring. ACOAs were more likely to drink for coping purposes (e.g., to relieve stress), although their level of alcohol consumption did not differ significantly from that of non-ACOAs. Although consistent differences were indicated between groups, ACOAs were still functioning in the nonpathological range on all measures.