Perception of Maternal Behavior by Elementary School Children of Alcoholic Mothers

Abstract

Elementary-school-aged children of alcoholic mothers more often perceive their mothers to be using guilt as a means of psychological control and using lax disciplinary methods than similar children with nonalcoholic mothers. This outcome is discussed as a unique profile resulting from denial in the alcoholic family and the possible projection of guilt felt by the alcoholic mother. Implications for prevention programming and further areas for empirical investigation are suggested.