Additionally, an interaction effect of childhood parental divorce, maternal history of alcohol problems, and paternal history of alcohol problems on the likelihood of offspring lifetime alcohol dependence was identified. Experiencing childhood parental divorce and having a mother or father only with a history of alcohol problems doubled the likelihood lifetime alcohol dependence by an offspring, while experiencing childhood parental divorce and having both parents with histories of alcohol problems more than tripled such likelihood. The similar level of influence of maternal versus paternal alcoholism and the significantly higher likelihood of alcohol dependence when both parents had alcohol problems, regardless of divorce status, suggest that both maternal and paternal alcohol problems influence the development of offspring alcohol dependence, whether or not the parent with the alcohol problems is (presumably) present in the home.
