Pozytywna i negatywna adaptacja dzieci i młodzieży rodziców uzależnionych od alkoholu

Abstract

Introduction: Children of parents with alcohol related problems have been a focus of study for clinical psychologists for many years. This is due, on the one hand, to the unfortunately high incidence of alcoholism in modern society, and on the other, to the notably specific functioning of those families that suffer from alcohol problems. Today, we know that the offspring of alcohol dependent parents are typically characterised by an increased susceptibility to a variety of problems. However, it must be stressed that some children from family with alcoholism do develop properly, going on to lead a satisfactory life free from mental disorders or issues. The aim of the presentation was to assess the vulnerable children of parents with alcoholism and analyse the odds ratio (OR) for developing positive adaptation. Material and methods: The total number of participants was 540 respondents, aged 9–20 in two comparison groups. Results: Children of alcoholics are a heterogenic population that, despite increased susceptibility to disorders observed in children, coped well with the requirements of life and showed a low level of symptoms of externalisation and internalisation. Conclusions: Appropriate intervention for children from alcoholic families can reduce the risk of mental disorders and negative outcomes.

Keywords

• Mental health
• Families with alcohol related problems
• Externalising and internalising disorders
• Risk of negative outcomes in children