Childhood Experiences of Alcoholic African-American and Caucasian Women

Abstract

Three hundred nine African-American and Caucasian alcoholic and nonalcoholic females ranging in age from 20 to 49 years old were individually administered a 77-page questionnaire. Results of a series of multivariate odds-ratio analyses based on self-report from memories of childhood indicate that alcoholic women reported significantly more nightmares, bedwetting, temper tantrums, phobias, bruxism, and nervous problems than nonalcoholic women. They reported significantly more school-related problems including expulsion/suspension, skipping school, trouble with school authorities, and dropping out of high school compared to nonalcoholic women. Feelings of nervousness, loneliness, and embarrassment around peers were reported significantly more often by alcoholic women. The prediction of alcoholism by childhood behavioral dysfunction differed as a function of race or age on only 4 of the 20 variables examined.

Keywords

alcoholic women African-American Caucasian childhood

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