Gender, Birth Order and Family Role Identification among Adult Children of Alcoholics.

Much attention has been paid to the influence of family dynamics in role identification development for the children of alcoholics. This article considers the development of stable and enduring behavior traits for the child through examination of alcoholic parent(s)gender, child birth order, and child gender correlates. An examination of the main and interaction effects of child gender, gender of the alcohol parent(s), and child birth order on strength of identification with the Hero, Scapegoat, Mascot or Lost Child family roles revealed significant gender differences for the Mascot, and Lost Child roles. The presence of two alcoholic parents was significant in producing diminished strength of identification with Mascot role behaviors.

As our society has become more aware of the prevalence, nature, and consequences of alcoholism, increased attention from the research and treatment communities has been focused on the effects of alcoholism on family members. Particular attention has been paid to the long-term effects of parental alcoholism on offspring. Contemporary studies frequently involve the comparison of adult children of alcoholics (ACOA) subjects and non-ACOA control subjects along some dimension(s) of attitude or behavior in the cognitive, affective, or behavioral realms.

Interim analysis of data from an ongoing epidemiological study (Regier & Burke, 1993) indicates 13 percent of the subjects reported behavioral symptoms consistent with the DSM-III-R (American Psychiatric Association, 1987) diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence. Capps et al. (1993) cite similar prevalence results from a study conducted in New York. Ruben (1992) found that in the United States, 10 percent of children have been raised, or are being raised in households where an alcoholic adult is present. This figure is consistent with the findings of a federal study undertaken ten years earlier (Califano, 1982) suggesting this percentage has been fairly steady over time. It further indicates that approximately 10 percent of our adult population may consider themselves to be ACOAs.

ACOA help-seeking propensities (Hinson et al., 1993), generational boundary confusion (Goglia et al., 1992), preferred coping strategies (Wright & Heppner, 1991), attachment styles (Brennan, Shaver & Tobey, 1991), adjustment (Clair & Genest, 1992), anger management (Potter & Potter-Efron, 1991), psychiatric risk factors (Rutter, 1993), career development issues (Matthews & Halbrook, 1990; Schumrum & Hartman, 1988), current family relationships (Kerr & Hill, 1992), and substance abuse potential (Emery et al., 1993; Ohannessian & Hesselbrock, 1993; Sher et al., 1991) are among the constructs that have been studied.

Another focus for researchers addressing ACOA issues is family of origin role identification and its influence on subsequent development and functioning. Discrete patterns of behavior (roles) have been identified as occurring frequently in families where at least one parental figure is alcoholic. These relatively inflexible roles are thought to be assumed by children to facilitate the adaptive functioning of the family as it attempts to cope with external (societal) demands and expectations while also managing the additional stressors brought into the family system by alcoholism (Mapes et al., 1984).

Wegscheider (1981) developed the family role identification theory that has become the primary paradigm for researchers and clinicians addressing alcoholism and ACOA issues. She labeled her four family roles the Hero, the Scapegoat, the Lost Child, and the Mascot. The child fulfilling the Hero role within an alcoholic family appears competent, serious, and overachieving to others, but often feels inadequate and guilty. This child usually assumes responsibilities greater than those of same age peers, and tends to engage in a wide variety of care-taking behaviors. Heroes receive self-validation through the feedback of others. This child serves the purpose of bringing esteem to the family system through his or her accomplishments. Heroes are generally well organized, and tend to assume control or responsibility for situations and others. This child often becomes a pseudo-parent/spouse (Goglia et al., 1992) as s/he grows up.

The family Scapegoat is the child who typically presents with oppositional or defiant behaviors and attitudes. The significance of this child to the family is the opportunity to focus the blame for problems on a source other than the alcoholic. As the family's "bad seed," s/he is frequently blamed for the negative atmosphere in the home. Consequently, s/he often develops a preference for non-family activities and is typically the first child to adopt peer group values. This tends to happen at an earlier age than for most children and often leads to involvement in anti-social or destructive behaviors.