EXAMINING THE WELL-BEING OF NONCLINICAL COLLEGE-STUDENTS - IS KNOWLEDGE OF THE PRESENCE OF PARENTAL ALCOHOLISM USEFUL

Previous research has studied the assumed effects of parental alcoholi sm on children in rather narrow ways, which has resulted in misleading assumptions about the psychological well-being of adult children of a lcoholics (ACAs). This study takes a broader perspective and confirms and extends prior research by examining the relationship of parental a lcoholism and family functioning to problem-solving appraisal, perceiv ed social support, interpersonal cognitive schema. and substance use. The 40 ACA participants were similar to the 40 non-ACAs on all measure s except substance use: ACAs were at greater risk for moderate and hig h substance use. Participants from dysfunctional family systems report ed more negative problem-solving appraisal and interpersonal cognitive schemata as compared with participants from functional family systems . Psychological adjustment appears multidetermined and not a simple co nsequence of parental alcoholism. Implications for future research are addressed.