E Jaeger1, N B Hahn, M Weinraub. 1. Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, USA.
Abstract
AIM: This study was designed to explore the utility of attachment theory for explaining socio-emotional outcomes in adult daughters of alcoholic fathers (ADAF). It was hypothesized that ADAF would have more insecure attachment organizations than daughters of non-alcoholic parents (non-ADAF), and that ADAF would describe themselves as more disposed towards compulsive care-giving than non-ADAF. DESIGN: ADAF and a matched group of non-ADAF were compared on measures of attachment security and compulsive care-giving. PARTICIPANTS: From a larger sample of 251 female college students, 26 ADAF and a matched group of non-ADAF were identified to participate in the study. SETTING: A large, urban university in the northeastern US. MEASUREMENTS: Participants completed the Adult Attachment Interview and a questionnaire assessing characteristics of compulsive care-giving. FINDINGS: As predicted, ADAF had less secure attachment organizations then did non-ADAF. Although no group differences were observed for compulsive care-giving scores, compulsive care-giving was negatively correlated with attachment security for ADAF. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that the concept of attachment may be useful for understanding the developmental consequences of parenting in alcoholic families.
AIM: This study was designed to explore the utility of attachment theory for explaining socio-emotional outcomes in adult daughters of alcoholic fathers (ADAF). It was hypothesized that ADAF would have more insecure attachment organizations than daughters of non-alcoholic parents (non-ADAF), and that ADAF would describe themselves as more disposed towards compulsive care-giving than non-ADAF. DESIGN:ADAF and a matched group of non-ADAF were compared on measures of attachment security and compulsive care-giving. PARTICIPANTS: From a larger sample of 251 female college students, 26 ADAF and a matched group of non-ADAF were identified to participate in the study. SETTING: A large, urban university in the northeastern US. MEASUREMENTS: Participants completed the Adult Attachment Interview and a questionnaire assessing characteristics of compulsive care-giving. FINDINGS: As predicted, ADAF had less secure attachment organizations then did non-ADAF. Although no group differences were observed for compulsive care-giving scores, compulsive care-giving was negatively correlated with attachment security for ADAF. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that the concept of attachment may be useful for understanding the developmental consequences of parenting in alcoholic families.