The role of personality correlates in the pathogenesis of alcoholism: an intergenerational study among alcohol dependent and nondependent population

Background: ‘Children of alcoholics (COAs)’ is a general term used to describe children or individuals with one or more parents with alcoholism. In Assam, there is no study done so far on COAs, and on parents of alcohol dependence, though the prevalence rate of alcohol is reported to be high. Material and methods: Objectives were to examine the personality variables of the alcohol dependent fathers (ADF) and their sons (SADF), as well as the alcohol nondependent fathers (NADF) and their sons (SNADF). Tools administered were informed consent form, socio-demographic proforma, the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST), Kuppuswamy socio-economic scale (KPSS), checklist of various common ailments, and Eyesenck’s Personality Inventory (EPI). Data obtained was analysed using descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviations and frequencies. Non-parametric test such as the chi-square test and parametric tests such as student’s ‘t’ test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were carried out. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups on the variables of age, education, occupation, family type, number of children, and socioeconomic status. There was an upward trend noted in alcohol use among SADF. Prevalence of illness was more among ADF. ADF were found to be high on neuroticism and extraversion, in comparison to NADF. SADF were higher on extraversion in comparison to SNADF, but there was no significant difference found in neuroticism in both the groups. Conclusion: Clinicians must have a thorough knowledge of the impact of addiction upon the development of emotional ties when working with either COAs or adult COAs.