Date of Award

2001

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine intragroup differences within the ACOA population. Specifically, the contructs of family environment and problem-solving appraisal were utilized to predict the impact of parental alcoholism on self-selected ACOAs. The sample of ACOAs utilized for this study was recruited from undergraduatePsychology courses at a state university in the Pacific Northwest. Two hundred and seventy-five participants completed questionnaires; however, only 105 individuals met inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. The following null hypothesis was tested by a stepwise canonical discriminant analysis: No subset of perceived family environment variables (cohesion, expressiveness, conflict, organization, and control), or perceived problem-solving appraisal variables (confidence, approach-avoidance, and personal control) among ACOAs significantly discriminates the impact of parental alcoholism. A subset of predictor variables (cohesion and personal control) combined in a linear function to differentiate the perceived impact of parental alcoholism, which resulted in the rejection of the null hypothesis. A second major purpose of utilizing a discriminant function analysis is to correctly classify cases into an outcome group. The results of the classification function indicated that 71% of the original cases were classified correctly. It was concluded that a subset of a perceived family environment variable (cohesion) and a perceived problem-solving variable (personal control) among ACOAs significantly discriminates the impact (high versus low) of parental alcoholism. Further implications and recommendations for research are discussed.

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