DIFFERENCES AMONG NONCLINICAL COLLEGE-WOMEN WITH ALCOHOLIC MOTHERS, ALCOHOLIC FATHERS, AND NONALCOHOLIC PARENTS

To further examine the uniformity myth as it pertains to adult childre n of alcoholics (ACAs) and to elucidate potential within-ACA differenc e variables, differences among nonclinical college females with alcoho lic fathers (F-ACAs), alcoholic mothers (M-ACAs), and no alcoholic par ents (non-ACAs) were explored. These groups were compared in terms of eating disorder symptomatology, interpersonal difficulties, and report s of abuse. F-ACAs reported significantly more distress arising from i nterpersonal problems than did non-ACAs. Non-ACAs reported significant ly fewer threats of parent-perpetrated abuse than either ACA group, wh ereas F-ACAs reported significantly more father-perpetrated threats of abuse than either non-ACAs or M-ACAs. F-ACAs also reported a signific antly higher prevalence of father-perpetrated physical abuse than did M-ACAs. Suggestions for future research are made, and counseling impli cations are discussed.