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Generational Boundary Distortions by Adult Children of Alcoholics: Child-as-Parent and Child-as-Mate

NCJ Number
140604
Journal
American Journal of Family Therapy Volume: 20 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1992) Pages: 291-300
Author(s)
L R Goglia; G J Jurkovic; A M Burt; K G Burge-Callaway
Date Published
1992
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Data collected from experimental groups of 30 male and 30 female adult children of alcoholics, and comparable control groups of adult children of non-alcoholics, were used to examine differential exhibitions of generational boundary distortions.
Abstract
The instruments used in this study included the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test, Parentification Questionnaire, Walsh Generational Distortion Coding Scheme, and two validity scales. The findings lent credence to previous research demonstrating the overresponsible and codependent nature of children of alcoholics. Gender and traditional sex-role socialization patterns could have played a moderating role, as the female adult children of alcoholics comprised the group most likely to assume excessive caretaking responsibilities for their families-of-origin. Significantly more male and female adult children of alcoholics exhibited boundary distortions (child-as-parent and child-as-mate) than subjects in either control group. 35 references

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