“Children of Alcoholics, a Social Work Response”

Mr. Cyril JohnResearch Assistant

Department of Social WorkChrist University

“Children of Alcoholics, a Social Work Response"

Introduction Alcoholic parental contribution to

children’s risk and vulnerability

Rise of Alcohol problem in India

Behavioral and emotional problems among adolescents

Inconsistent child care and low child-parent intimacy

“Children of Alcoholics, a Social Work Response"

Objectives

To study the self esteem level of the children of alcoholics

To study the adjustment capacities of the respondents to different situations/institutions like;

Family School Peers General

“Children of Alcoholics, a Social Work Response"

Statement of the Problem

Extensive literatures speak of the influence of parental alcoholism on children and specially adolescents

Indian scenario; father as head of the family. Alcoholic father means son shouldering family responsibilities

Self esteem and relationships of these children get affected

“Children of Alcoholics, a Social Work Response"

MethodologyDesign : Descriptive

Universe : All Male Adolescents with Parental Alcoholism in Mullenkolly Panchayat (Wayanad)

Unit : Single Male Adolescent with Parental Alcoholism

Sampling : Purposive Sampling

Step 1. FGD with Key Persons of all the Wards of the Panchayat

Step 2. Children of Alcoholic Screening Test (CAST, Jones & Pilat)

“Children of Alcoholics, a Social Work Response"

Cont.. Methodology

Sample Size : 50 Adolescents of Alcoholic Parents

Tools: 1. Self Esteem Index (Mc Kennon, 1981)

2. Pre adolescent adjustment scale (Pareek & Rao,1970)

3. Self structured Questionnaire for socio-demographic data

“Children of Alcoholics, a Social Work Response"

Findings

84% of the respondents have opined that they have poor adjustments with the teachers in the school

Uncontrolled alcohol abuse has brought major ill effects to the children in their

Relationship with parents Siblings Peer groups Teachers, etc.

“Children of Alcoholics, a Social Work Response"

Participants in the FGD have pointed out that the children with an alcoholic parent

Most pampered and Problem creators in schools Take into drinking Seek love and care outside family Being looked after by televation

“Children of Alcoholics, a Social Work Response"

Self Esteem and Family Type

Joint NuclearFamily Type

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

7

29

1

13

Low Self Esteem High Self Esteem

“Children of Alcoholics, a Social Work Response"

Respondents’ adjustment with the family members

frequency

Percentage

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

15

30

35

70

Low AdjustmentHigh Adjustment

“Children of Alcoholics, a Social Work Response"

Social Work Response “Integrated development of adolescents in

schools of Mullankolley Panchayat”

3 year project, funded by same Panchayat

Qualified social worker as project monitor

Social Worker can intervene through various stakeholders

“Children of Alcoholics, a Social Work Response"

Adolescents, School Teachers, Parents, CBOs, ASHA Workers, etc

Focus of the Service Delivery Research School Social Work School Teachers Community Panchayat Leaders Clubs: Peer Group Support

“Children of Alcoholics, a Social Work Response"

Some of the Interventions Educate the parents on parenting Helping school teachers on

identifying and handling students who need special care

Improve the community participation in building a strong social support

Life skill education to children in the schools.

Peer Group Support Programmes

“Children of Alcoholics, a Social Work Response"

Cont… Some of the Interventions

Campaigns on the ill effects of Alcohol and other substance abuse with a focus on the tribal population

Clinical consultation/reference facility for alcohol and other substance dependents

Help the students handle the emotional problems for having an alcoholic father

“Children of Alcoholics, a Social Work Response"

Conclusion It is a promising concept for the

development of region

Such interventions are very much important to minimize or alleviate the impact of parental alcohol abuse on children, family and community.

“Children of Alcoholics, a Social Work Response"

Reference Black, “Alcoholism and its impact on Children of Alcoholics”,

1985 Erikson,E.H. “Life History and the Historical Moment”, W · W

Norton & Company · Inc, New York, 1975. Gordis, E., “Children of Alcoholics: Are they different?”, National

Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism No. 9 PH 288 July 1990.

NASW Department of Community Services, “Parental Alcohol Misuse and the Impact on Children”, 2006.

NIAAA, (January 2006), Underage drinking: Why do adolescents drink, what are the risks, and how can underage drinking be prevented? Alcohol Alert No. 67.

Sekar, K. Et.al. “Handbook of Psychiatric Social Work”, NIMHANS Publication, 2007.

Sher,K.J., “Psychological Characteristics of Children of Alcoholics”

“Children of Alcoholics, a Social Work Response"

Quarries..