PATERNAL ALCOHOLISM, PATERNAL ABSENCE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROBLEM BEHAVIORS IN BOYS FROM AGE 6 TO 12 YEARS

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the association be tween paternal alcoholism, paternal absence, and the development and s tability of behavioral problems in boys, from kindergarten to the end of elementary school. Method: A sample of 642 boys originating from lo w socioeconomic status (SES) families was used. Paternal alcoholism wa s established using the Short Michigan Alcohol Screening Test. Behavio ral problems (opposition, hyperactivity, inattention, physical aggress ion and anxiety) were assessed by teachers' reports when the boys were 6 and 12 years old. Four groups of boys were created on the basis of paternal alcoholism (nonalcoholic, alcoholic) and family structure (in tact families, nonintact/father-absent families). Results: Consistent with personality theories of alcoholism, results showed that a propens ity for physical aggression and low anxiety best distinguished sons of male alcoholics (SOMAs) from non-SOMAs at both ages (6 and 12 years), even when SES was controlled. In addition, SOMAs were more opposition al and hyperactive than non-SOMAs at both ages. No significant effects were observed for family structure or age, or an interaction between these factors and paternal alcoholism in the multivariate analysis. Co nclusions: The results suggest that problem behaviors in SOMAs begin e arly and persist over time, and that paternal alcoholism and family st ructure are not associated with changes in boys' behaviors between kin dergarten and the end of elementary school in this population, at leas t in the sample used.