Bridging Disciplinary Boundaries (January 11 - 14, 2007)

Children of alcoholics (COAs) are at increased risk for a range of negative psychosocial outcomes, including substance use problems, psychiatric disorders, maladaptive coping skills, and poor social skills. In studies of general population and clinical samples, maternal warmth has been shown to be a significant influence on substance related problems, with low maternal warmth associated with a higher risk of adolescent substance use problems. Much less researched has been the effect of maternal warmth on substance use and psychosocial outcomes among adolescent COAs. Purpose: The current study examined paternal history of alcohol use problems and maternal warmth as both independent and interactive predictors of psychosocial outcomes among alcohol and drug using youth. Methods: 171 students participated in the study. In terms of sample demographics, the mean age of participants was 15.4 years. 42% of participants were female, 52% were middle schoolers, 48% were high schoolers, 66% were non-Hispanic White, 21% were Hispanic, 10% were Black, and 3% were “other.” Data from the current study derive from baseline assessments of substance using adolescents participating in an NIAAA-funded clinical trial examining the effectiveness of a standardized, school-based group intervention. Variables including COA status, maternal warmth, psychiatric disorders, coping skills, and social competence were assessed. Hierarchical multiple regression (HMR) analyses were performed to examine the unique and combined influences of COA status and maternal warmth on adolescent psychosocial functioning. Results: Low maternal warmth significantly predicted more psychiatric disorders, less adaptive coping skills, and poorer social skills regardless of COA status. Adolescent COAs drank more alcohol, drank more often, and utilized less adaptive coping skills than non-COAs. Interactions between maternal warmth and COA status did not predict psychosocial outcomes. Conclusions and implication for practice: Paternal alcohol use and low maternal warmth each contribute independently to adolescent adjustment. The results confirm previous studies that demonstrated an increased risk for alcohol-related problems among COAs. Moreover, regardless of COA status, low maternal warmth increases the risk of adolescent problems. Regarding practice implications, having an alcoholic father may result in the diminished expression of maternal warmth. Therefore, when working with an adolescent substance user, family history of alcoholism and maternal warmth should be assessed. Those who report both are at high risk for psychosocial problems, and consequently in need of more intensive services. The results of this study and their implications for social work practice will be reviewed in this presentation.