Alcohol abuse and familial alcoholism: psychosocial correlates in men and women.

Multivariate and univariate analyses were conducted to investigate specific hypotheses concerning the effects of alcohol abuse, family history of alcoholism and gender on items in five categories: (1) family of origin; (2) childhood attention deficit, conduct and learning disorders; (3) intraindividual (psychological) variables; (4) peers and family of procreation; and (5) sociocultural and community variables. The sample consisted of 76 male and 72 female detoxified alcoholics and 50 male and 51 female community controls. By selection procedures, groups had an approximately 50% incidence of familial alcoholism; all were given detailed structured interviews covering the above areas. Significant differences between alcoholics and controls were found for all five categories, and four of the five categories showed significant family history effects. Gender differences were present on only one category. There were no significant Alcoholism X FH interactions. We conclude that (1) alcoholism and family history of alcoholism are distinct, separate factors that have additive and not interactional effects; and (2) these separate effects seem to operate in similar fashion in both male and female populations. The findings have relevance for methodological considerations and the identification of problem areas of functioning in the adult alcoholic and nonalcoholic offspring of alcoholics.