Adult Children of Alcoholics: Narcissism, Shame, and the Differential Effects of Paternal and Maternal Alcoholism

Abstract

Recent clinical and research literature has suggested that having one or both parents alcoholic leads to higher levels of character pathology (Baker and Williamson 1989; Benson and Heller 1987; Berkowitz and Perkins 1988; Brown 1988; Hibbard 1987, 1989; Parker and Harford 1988; Plescia-Pikus et al. 1988; Soyster 1984; Wood 1987) than is normal for nonclinical adults. Only Berkowitz and Perkins (1988) have looked at what difference it may make as to which parent is identified as alcoholic.