Alcoholism is one of the prime determinants of the behaviors of a dysfunctional family system. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of alcoholism on self-esteem, locus of control and role designations. The information obtained in this study will be used for guiding differentiated interventions that will assist in keeping the alcoholic family unit intact and improving its functioning. The study investigated: (a) the set of factors that mediate self-esteem, locus of control and family of origin level of functioning, (b) differences between adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOAs) and Adult Children of Non-Alcoholics (ACONAs), and (c) differences among ACOAs on self-esteem, locus of control, and role designations. The participants were members of a church in the northeastern region of the United States which offers counseling services and educational programs to its congregation. The participants are 88 African American adults aged 18-70 years who completed five survey instruments that provided information on parental drinking patterns and experiences, self-esteem, locus of control, family of origin level of functioning and demographics including role designations, gender, marital status, ethnicity, and specific information on alcohol use. The results indicated no significant difference between ACOAs and ACONAs on self-esteem and level of functioning in the family of origin. However, a significant difference was found between ACOAs and ACONAs on locus of control. There was no significant difference between ACOAs and ACONAs family functioning on self esteem and locus of control. There was no significant difference between the 'most healthy' ACOAs and the 'least healthy' ACOAs on self-esteem and locus of control. There was no significant difference between female and male ACOAs on self-esteem and locus of control; no difference between Internal and External ACOAs on self-esteem when the father was alcoholic; and no difference between hero ACOAs and scapegoat ACOAs on self-esteem and locus of control. These findings indicate that parental alcoholism mediates locus of control orientation only for. In addition, family of origin functioning is not a factor in the self-esteem or locus of control of ACOAs. Furthermore, the family of origin level of functioning does not impact the self-esteem and locus of control of ACOAs. It seems that some factor aside from family functioning is mediating self-esteem in ACOAs. The ACOAs are acquiring adaptive behaviors, high self-esteem and internal locus of control for managing their lives despite being reared in an alcoholic home environment and much the same as ACONAs. These adaptive behaviors are mediated by parental involvement, personality, and external social supports. Future investigations should examine parental behaviors, patterns and involvement with the child to determine their impact on locus of control and an investigation of other potential dysfunctional behaviors should also be considered Finally, an examination of the constructs of family or origin functioning should be considered to dispel any doubts about it as a predictor of psychological distress in children reared in an alcoholic home.

Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) have been identified as an at-risk population for alcoholism and depression. However, findings of previous studies have been inconsistent. Adapting the Salutogenic model proposed by Antonovsky (1979, 1987), this cross-sectional correlational study was designed to test a model of psychological well-being among female ACOAs. The constructs in the model were: past life experiences (family functioning in the family of origin and the gender of parental alcoholism), present life experiences (social functioning and self-help group attendance), generalized resistant resources (income and education), stressors (negative life events), Sense of Coherence, and psychological well-being (depression and inclination to problematic drinking behaviors). Following approval from the human assurance committee, a combination of local and Internet announcements were used to recruit self-identified ACOA women between the ages of 30 and 50, asking them to participate in an anonymous survey by mail. To measure research variables, seven pre-existing questionnaires were used with a self-developed demographic questionnaire for this study. One hundred twenty-one participants returned their questionnaire, and 112 cases were used for analyses. Through path analyses, the results of testing the study hypotheses partially supported the theoretical model. Social functioning and family functioning in the family of origin significantly accounted for Sense of Coherence while Sense of Coherence showed a significant direct effect on depression. However, stressors did not significantly contribute to Sense of Coherence as originally posited. Generalized resistant resources did not show an indirect effect on Sense of Coherence. In the test of an alternative model, Sense of Coherence appeared to mediate the relationship between social functioning and depression. Also, in the alternative model, social functioning mediated between stressors and depression and between family functioning in the family of origin and depression. The study findings suggest emphasis on social functioning and Sense of Coherence in efforts to decrease depression among ACOA women.

Your healing is in your hands with this evidence-based workbook for adult children of alcoholics As the child of a parent or caregiver with an alcohol use disorder, you may still feel the impact of your experiences. Take the next steps on your healing journey with this workbook full of therapeutic techniques, journal prompts, quizzes, and other short exercises and activities to empower adult children of alcoholics. The self-guided approach allows you to work at your own pace as you examine how your experiences have shaped you, learn coping skills, grow in self-love, and build healthy relationships free from the harmful patterns you've experienced. Supportive exercises—Find exercises for combating negative self-talk, setting boundaries, working through guilt or shame, developing intimacy with yourself and others, and more. Proven techniques—Rebuild using effective therapeutic methods including cognitive behavioral therapy, assertiveness training, and other empirically supported tools. Realistic examples—Read stories from other adult children of alcoholics who have had similar experiences to help you remember that it isn't your fault and you're not alone. Discover evidence-based techniques to help you heal in this workbook for adult children of alcoholics.