Adolescent children of alcoholics: social work response

• Journal: Global Academic Society Journal: Social Science Insight, Vol. 5, No. 14, year 2012, pp. 12-18.
• Author(s): Cyril John Moolakkatt, Sibi George
• Category: Social Science Insight II
• Keywords: adolescent, parental alcoholism, Mullenkolly Panchayat, self esteem, social work

Abstract

This paper is an exploration of the characteristic influence of self-esteem and social relations of 50 adolescents between the age group of 14 to 18 years, having a parent with problem of alcohol dependence. The study was conducted using a descriptive design, Mc Kinnon’s (1981) Self Esteem Index, Pre Adolescent Adjustment Scale (Pareek and Rao, 1970), self structured Socio-demographic data sheet and Focused Group Discussion. The results testify that adolescents with parental alcoholism have poor adjustment capacities with school and teachers but adjust well with their home and environment. This could be because of the strong support system they have in the family, who also share the same environment. The respondents who are from the joint families reported to replicate higher self esteem too. Researcher speaks of possible social work response to the situations of children with the problem of parental alcoholism. Possible social work implications, limitations of the study and directions for further research are presented in the paper.