Parental alcoholism is also believed to negatively affect the quality and quantity of parenting behavior (Jacob & Leonard, 1994). Such inadequate parenting behaviors include lack of affection, high levels of criticism and hostility, lax or inconsistent discipline and a general lack of involvement. Research provides support for these assertions: studies have shown that paternal alcoholism is associated with higher levels of parental aggravation, parent–child conflict, and negative affect as well as lower parental sensitivity, positive affect, and verbalizations with young children (e.g., Chassin, Curran, Hussong & Colder, 1996; Chassin, Pillow, Curran, Molina, & Barrera, 1993; Eiden, Chavez, & Leonard, 1999; Eiden & Leonard, 2000; Eiden, Leonard, Hoyle, & Chavez, 2004; El-Sheikh & Flanagan, 2001). Paternal alcoholism also affects expressions of warmth and sensitivity. For example, Eiden et al. (1999) found that father's alcoholism was associated with lower paternal sensitivity and positive affect cross-sectionally in a sample of 12-month old infants. They also found that father's alcoholism was associated with lower verbalizations and higher negative affect among fathers. Furthermore, Eiden, Edwards, and Leonard (2007) found that paternal alcohol use when children
