THE INFLUENCE OF PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEENFAMILY HISTORY OF ALCOHOLISM AND DRINKING BEHAVIORS

The present study examined the effect that perceived social support ha s on the relationship between having a family history of alcoholism an d alcohol use in a sample of 85 adult children of alcoholics and a con trol group (n = 68). Social support from both peers and from family me mbers were assessed for their potential differential effects. Gender d ifferences were also examined. Overall, perceived social support from friends significantly moderated the relationship between family histor y of alcoholism and several indicators of alcohol use. In contrast, pe rceived social support from family members did not moderate any of the relationships examined. These findings emphasize the importance of co nsidering different sources of social support when using social suppor t as a moderating variable and the need to examine the underlying proc esses and variables involved in the relationship between having a fami ly history of alcoholism and alcohol use.