Research on children of alcoholic fathers has shown that they are at an increased risk for a number of problems including attentional difficulties, impulsivity, and conduct problems during childhood, as well as antisocial behavior and alcohol abuse in adolescence and adulthood (e.g., Chassin, Rogosch, & Barrera, 1991; Johnson, Leonard, & Jacob, 1989; West & Prinz, 1987). Theoretical models of the etiology of alcoholism have discussed the important role that family factors play in linking problematic parental alcohol use to negative child outcomes (e.g., Zucker, 1979; Zucker & Gomberg, 1986). Parental alcoholism is believed to result in disruptions in the family environment, including increased marital conflict, financial strain, social isolation, and overall family system disturbance. This negative family environment in turn is hypothesized to contribute to the development of behavior problems in children and alcohol abuse later on (Jacob & Leonard, 1994).
