Maternal and paternal alcoholism and depressive mood in college students: Parental relationships as mediators of ACOA-depressive mood link

The present study examined whether suspecting one's mother versus father of alcohol abuse was associated with parent–offspring relationships, and the degree to which parent–child relationships were associated with depressive symptoms. As compared to non-ACOAs (n = 288), ACOAs (n = 100) reported more negative parent–child relationships (i.e., greater alienation, poorer communication, less trust, greater emotional longing, and more negative attitudes toward the parent) and increased depressive symptoms on the POMS (McNair, Lorr, & Droppleman, 1992). A closer look revealed that suspected maternal alcohol abuse was associated with more negative mother–child relationships, whereas suspected paternal alcohol abuse was associated with more negative father–child relationships. Both maternal alcohol abuse and paternal alcohol abuse predicted depressive symptoms.

Research Highlights► Tested parental alcohol abuse as predictor of depressive symptoms of college students. ► Both maternal and paternal alcohol abuse predicted depressive symptoms. ► Maternal alcohol abuse associated with negative maternal-offspring relationship. ► Paternal alcohol abuse associated with negative paternal-offspring relationship. ► Parental relationships mediated effect of alcohol abuse on depressive symptoms.