A comparative study on behavioural problems in children of alcohol dependent parents

Background:There is a tremendous increase in the pace and stress of life which may be the reason to increase the need for alcohol intake as a stabilizer for working class and causes tendency to alcohol dependency in long run process; which creates harm not only to the person who intakes alcohol persistently but also produces agony to family members. When one or both the parents are alcohol-dependent, usually children are the victims of behavioral abnormality. Material and methods: A group of 60 children of four to 18 years of both sex of parents, who consume alcohol regularly (in experimental group) and those who don’t consume (control group), was collected. Results:The mean age of children of alcohol dependents (COADs) was 13.13 ± 4.42 (Mean ± SD) years where as that of non-COADs was 11.80 ± 4.17 (Mean ± SD). COAD group was significantly more educated than the control group. COAD group (21.30 ± 15.48, Mean ± SD) had significantly higher totalChild Behavior Checklist (CBCL) scores as compared to the non-COAD counterparts (5.63 ± 4.42, Mean ± SD). There were significant differences in both groups for selected CBCL items. Girls have significantly more internalizing behavioral problems e.g. feels dizzy. Externalizing problems, especially conduct problems are represented more in boys than girls of alcohol dependents. Conclusion:It has been found that the prevalence of behavior problems in the children of alcohol dependents (COADs) was higher whereas in non-COADs it was much lesser.