The Interface of Parental and Personal Alcohol Problems in Employee Assistance Program Populations

Abstract

This article examines alcohol-related problems of Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Populations as related to parental alcohol problems. Data is analyzed according to self-referral and employer-referral clients. Using the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test and the Children of Alcoholism Screening Test a population of 206 clients of an EAP were screened for self-reported drinking patterns of themselves and their parents. A strong correlation exists between alcohol problems in the family of origin, and personal alcohol problems. While only 6% of the total variance can be explained by family history, it is likely that it is displayed as a part of other "causes" of the personal problems. Employer-referrals were more likely to grow up in homes where alcohol was abused (77.5%) compared to only about 33.7% of the self-referrals.