Citation

Godleski SA, Crane CA, Leonard KE. Addict. Behav. 2017; 79: 81-85.

Affiliation

Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, 1021 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA. Electronic address: leonard@ria.buffalo.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.11.026

PMID

29253661

Abstract

Alcohol problems have variable outcomes for marital relationships depending on whether drinking patterns are concordant or discordant among the members of the dyad; however, it is unclear what impact these variations in drinking patterns have on children. The current study was designed to explore several gaps and limitations in the parent heavy drinking literature. In particular, the prospective associations over 3years between parent heavy drinking, parenting, and child externalizing behavior were investigated in an integrated model to examine the influence of concordant and discordant drinking within couples on subsequent outcomes for their children. The study consisted of 180 couples recruited by mailings with children primarily between the ages of 4 and 11years old (52% male children). Parent-report of marital conflict, parenting, alcohol use, and child externalizing behavior were measured in a longitudinal study. Actor-Partner Interdependence Model analyses were conducted. Higher levels of maladaptive parenting were associated with higher externalizing for children of concordant drinking couples as opposed to discordant drinking couples. Implications for research and practice are discussed, including investigating mediators and moderators of the current findings such as quality of the parent-child relationship.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Alcohol problems; Behavioral problems; Couples; Drinking patterns