Children of alcoholic parents (COAs) are among the highest risk groups for evidencing AUDs and other SUDs (e.g., Chassin, Pitts, DeLucia, & Todd, 1999; Sher, 1991). Of increasing research focus are the reasons underlying COAs’ risk for these disorders. In particular, recent efforts have provided the field with a growing understanding of the genetic and neurobiological contributors to AUDs (e.g., Hasin, Hatzenbuehler, & Waxman, 2006; Schuckit, 2000). With respect to Negative Affect Alcoholism in particular, the search for genetic mechanisms remains an active area of study. Currently, family linkage and twin studies demonstrate modest co-transmission for internalizing disorders (primarily depression) and alcoholism (Kendler, Neale, Heath, & Kessler, 1994; Merikangas, Leckman, Prusoff, Pauls, & Weissman, 1985; Zucker et al., 2006).2 In addition, summarizing results from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism, Nurnberger et al. (2002) reported evidence consistent with examining Negative Affect Alcoholism as a unique phenotype. Specifically, they report a higher rate of comorbid depression and alcoholism among probands of families with a higher prevalence of this same comorbidity as opposed to families with a higher prevalence of
