Page 52 - Petelin Ana. Ur. 2022. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of children and adolescents. Proceedings. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 52
avje otrok in mladostnikov | health of children and adolescents 52 Children from families affected by alcohol addiction form a very hetero-
genic group. The outcomes of growing up in such families differ from one an-
other, just like the families and personal characteristics are also different. What
they do have in common is that these children grow up in circumstances that
prematurely put them in survival mode, so they can cope with challenges of
their parents’ addiction (Goeke, 2017). This can have a negative impact on var-
ious levels of performance. Research has shown that these children more often
show signs of internalization and excessive inhibition or, on the other hand,
problems of externalization and excessive rebellion (Omkarappa and Renta-
la, 2019; Redlin and Borchardt, 2019). As they grow older, the outcomes are
shown to become more complex and more diverse. Children of alcoholics are
more likely to experience periods of depression and anxiety, problems with al-
cohol and other drugs, and abusive relationships (Goeke, 2017; Omkarappa and
Rentala, 2019). Because they are often victims of cumulative trauma, they can
also develop post-traumatic stress syndrome or complex post-traumatic stress
disorder (Harter and Vanecek, 2000; Rzeszutek et al., 2021).
Insecure attachment to a parent during childhood, usually more com-
mon in families affected by alcohol addiction, is reflected in a pronounced fear
of rejection or abandonment (Henigsman, 2015). In a chaotic environment, in
which anything can happen, they do not have optimal opportunities for the
adequate development of a healthy self-image, which is later evident in their
difficulties in establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships (Fires-
tone and Firestone, 2005). Additional problems in relationships are reflected
by marked mistrust and fear of relationships (Kerig, 2003; Henigsman, 2015).
When violence is also present, there is a greater likelihood that children from
these families will experience fear of relationships, along with more severe de-
pressive and anxious feelings when actually in a relationship. (Kerig, 2003).
In addition to psychosocial consequences, medical ones can also occur.
Children and adolescents who have experienced cumulative stress and trau-
ma are more likely to suffer from autoimmune diseases, ischemic heart dis-
ease, and various inflammatory diseases (Dube et al., 2009). Some research
has shown that growing up in a family affected by alcohol addiction affects a
greater possibility of developing hypertension, diabetes, insomnia, gastrointes-
tinal diseases, cancer, and other diseases (Goeke, 2017). Risky behaviors related
to health (smoking, drinking alcohol, illegal drugs, higher body weight index,
and little physical activity) are more common among children of alcoholics
(Serec et al., 2012; Fuller-Thomson et al., 2013).
On the other hand, research also reports on the possibility that children
come out of these circumstances resilient, which means that they develop more
appropriate coping mechanisms for dealing with everyday stressors (Park and
Schepp, 2015). In this case, even if they are growing up in a destructive envi-
ronment, these children know how to draw positives from it. Walker and Lee
(1998) claim that those who are more socially competent and mature have more
chances to become resilient.
genic group. The outcomes of growing up in such families differ from one an-
other, just like the families and personal characteristics are also different. What
they do have in common is that these children grow up in circumstances that
prematurely put them in survival mode, so they can cope with challenges of
their parents’ addiction (Goeke, 2017). This can have a negative impact on var-
ious levels of performance. Research has shown that these children more often
show signs of internalization and excessive inhibition or, on the other hand,
problems of externalization and excessive rebellion (Omkarappa and Renta-
la, 2019; Redlin and Borchardt, 2019). As they grow older, the outcomes are
shown to become more complex and more diverse. Children of alcoholics are
more likely to experience periods of depression and anxiety, problems with al-
cohol and other drugs, and abusive relationships (Goeke, 2017; Omkarappa and
Rentala, 2019). Because they are often victims of cumulative trauma, they can
also develop post-traumatic stress syndrome or complex post-traumatic stress
disorder (Harter and Vanecek, 2000; Rzeszutek et al., 2021).
Insecure attachment to a parent during childhood, usually more com-
mon in families affected by alcohol addiction, is reflected in a pronounced fear
of rejection or abandonment (Henigsman, 2015). In a chaotic environment, in
which anything can happen, they do not have optimal opportunities for the
adequate development of a healthy self-image, which is later evident in their
difficulties in establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships (Fires-
tone and Firestone, 2005). Additional problems in relationships are reflected
by marked mistrust and fear of relationships (Kerig, 2003; Henigsman, 2015).
When violence is also present, there is a greater likelihood that children from
these families will experience fear of relationships, along with more severe de-
pressive and anxious feelings when actually in a relationship. (Kerig, 2003).
In addition to psychosocial consequences, medical ones can also occur.
Children and adolescents who have experienced cumulative stress and trau-
ma are more likely to suffer from autoimmune diseases, ischemic heart dis-
ease, and various inflammatory diseases (Dube et al., 2009). Some research
has shown that growing up in a family affected by alcohol addiction affects a
greater possibility of developing hypertension, diabetes, insomnia, gastrointes-
tinal diseases, cancer, and other diseases (Goeke, 2017). Risky behaviors related
to health (smoking, drinking alcohol, illegal drugs, higher body weight index,
and little physical activity) are more common among children of alcoholics
(Serec et al., 2012; Fuller-Thomson et al., 2013).
On the other hand, research also reports on the possibility that children
come out of these circumstances resilient, which means that they develop more
appropriate coping mechanisms for dealing with everyday stressors (Park and
Schepp, 2015). In this case, even if they are growing up in a destructive envi-
ronment, these children know how to draw positives from it. Walker and Lee
(1998) claim that those who are more socially competent and mature have more
chances to become resilient.
