A FAMILY PROBLEM: THE EFFECTS OF PARENTAL ALCOHOL ON CHILDREN

As much as alcohol problem affects an alcoholic parents’ own functioning negatively, it also adversely affects their family. Because of dysfunctionalities of alcoholics such as lack of responsibility and disruption in roles, family home environment may become more chaotic and unstable. In these conditions, non-alcoholic family members may develop problems as well. Therefore alcohol problem is not the only problem which alcoholic people have, but also it is a family problem. In the present review, it is aimed to explain how the alcoholic parents influence their children in means of psychosocial and behavioral outcomes. Family is the most important factor for children socialization process and positive family environment is necessary for children’s well-being. Children learn and develop some basic skills such as sense of self, sense of others, coping strategies and how to regulate their emotions in family environment thanks to their parents. By examining the effects on children of alcoholic parents (CoAs) and by being aware of risk and protective factors, those children’s well-being can be protected.