Parental divorce is common5, and 28.24% of American adults experience parental divorce or permanent non-marital parental separation prior to age 186. Moreover, it is well recognized that many offspring are exposed to parental relationship discord even in the absence of parental divorce7–10. Exposure to parental divorce and relationship discord are associated with AUD11–14 and related outcomes, including earlier age at first drink15–18 and higher substance involvement and misuse19–21. Divorce and relationship discord share genetic influences with alcohol problems22–24. Thus, offspring exposed to parental divorce and relationship discord also inherit a genetic predisposition towards alcohol problems, an example of how genetic inheritance is also associated with environmental exposures25.
