Twin studies show that 40–60% of the risk for alcohol dependence is accounted for by genetic factors (Heath et al., 2001; Kendler, 2001). While research on specific genetic variants related to alcohol dependence is progressing rapidly (Edenberg and Foroud, 2006), a substantial amount of the variance in risk for alcohol dependence remains unexplained, suggesting that better information is needed on the influence of environmental risk factors. Several childhood or adolescent stressors (e.g., physical and sexual abuse, household substance use, family dysfunction, terrorism exposure) have been shown to impact drinking and increase the risk for alcohol problems (Anda et al., 2002; Anda., 2006; Dube et al., 2001; Dube et al.; 2002; Kendler et al., 2000; Schiff et al., 2007). However, surprisingly little research has focused specifically on the risk posed by experiencing parental divorce/separation during childhood or adolescence on the risk for a lifetime diagnosis of alcohol dependence.
