Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2015 Nov:50:70-3.
doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.06.011. Epub 2015 Jun 12.

The interactive effect of paternal problem drinking and maternal problem drinking on adolescent internalizing problems

Christine McCauley Ohannessian  1
Affiliations

The interactive effect of paternal problem drinking and maternal problem drinking on adolescent internalizing problems

Christine McCauley Ohannessian. Addict Behav. 2015 Nov.

Abstract

Introduction: This study examined the effects of both paternal problem drinking and maternal problem drinking on adolescent internalizing problems (depression and anxiety symptomatology).

Methods: Surveys were administered to 566 10th and 11th grade students from the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. in the spring of 2007 and again in the spring of 2008.

Results: Although significant main effects were not observed, significant interactions were found between paternal problem drinking and maternal problem drinking for internalizing problems, especially for boys. In general, these interactions indicated that when paternal problem drinking was high, depression symptomatology and anxiety symptomatology were lower if maternal problem drinking was low.

Conclusions: Findings from this study highlight the need to consider both paternal and maternal problem drinking when examining the effects that parental problem drinking may have on adolescent adjustment.

Keywords: Adolescents; Anxiety; Depression; Parental problem drinking.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

No conflicts of interest are present in the conduct and reporting of this research.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Depression Symptomatology for Boys
Figure 2
Figure 2
Panic Disorder Symptomatology for Boys
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 1994.
    1. Barnow S, Schuckit MA, Lucht M, John U, Freyberger HJ. The importance of a positive family history of alcoholism, parental rejection and emotional warmth, behavioral problems and peer substance use for alcohol problems in teenagers: a path analysis. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. 2002;63(3):305. - PubMed
    1. Birmaher B, Khetarpal S, Cully M, Brent DA, McKenzie S. Screen for child anxiety related disorders (SCARED) Pittsburgh, PA: Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh; 1995.
    1. Birmaher B, Khetarpal S, Cully M, Brent DA, McKenzie S. Screen for child anxiety related disorders (SCARED) – parent form and child form (8 years and older) In: VandeCreek L, Jackson TL, editors. Innovations in clinical practice: Focus on children & adolescents. Sarasota, FL: Professional Resource Press; 2003. pp. 99–104.
    1. Chassin L, Curran PJ, Hussong AM, Colder CR. The relation of parent alcoholism to adolescent substance use: A longitudinal follow-up study. In: Marlatt GA, VandenBos GR, editors. Addictive behaviors: Readings on etiology, prevention, and treatment. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 1997. pp. 509–533.

Publication types

MeSH terms