The Effect of Family Communication on Adult Children of Alcoholics’ Perceptions of Stigma and Their Associations With Emotional and Psychological Resilience

• In Event: High-Density: 2014 Interpersonal Potpourri

Abstract

Alcoholism is a highly stigmatized condition, with both alcohol dependent individuals and family members of the afflicted experiencing stigmatization. This study examined severity of a parent’s alcoholism and family communication about the topic of alcohol as two antecedent factors that may impact individual family members’ perceptions of stigma. Three dimensions of stigma were considered: discrimination stigma, disclosure stigma, and positive aspect stigma. In addition, this study assessed individuals’ experiences of depression, self-esteem, and resilience as outcomes of stigmatization. Adult children of alcoholics (N = 623) were surveyed about family conditions, perceptions of stigma, and their emotional and psychological well-being. Regression analyses revealed that the severity of a parent’s alcoholism was positively associated with discrimination and disclosure stigma, but the effects for positive aspect stigma were non-significant. In addition, topic avoidance about alcohol was positively associated with discrimination and disclosure stigma and negatively associated with positive aspect stigma. In turn, discrimination stigma and disclosure stigma were positively associated with depression and negatively associated with resilience and self-esteem. Positive aspect stigma was negatively associated with depression and positively associated with resilience and self-esteem. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for promoting a family environment that can mitigate stigma and, consequently, encourage emotional and psychological well-being.

Authors

• Marie Christine Haverfield, Rutgers University

• Jennifer A. Theiss, Rutgers U