Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of multiple stressors during childhood on subsequent adjustment among adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs). Scores on self-report measures of adjustment were compared for four groups: ACOAs who had experienced multiple stressors (n = 73), ACOAs reporting alcoholism as the only stressor in the home of origin (n = 80), adults who reported experiencing traumatic events other than alcoholism in the home of origin (n = 99), and a control group who reported no traumatic events during childhood (n = 102). Significant differences were found among groups in terms of self-reported anger/irritability, defense avoidance, and measures of resiliency.