Parent-child interactions in families with alcoholic fathers.

Adolescent offspring (N = 121) of alcoholic, depressed, and nondistressed fathers were observed during problem-solving discussions with their fathers, mothers, and with both parents together. Assessments were conducted when parents were and were not drinking alcohol. Nondistressed father-child dyads differed from both clinical samples in showing higher rates of congeniality and problem solving, whereas the impact of alcohol consumption on father-child, mother-child, or triadic interactions was not related to diagnostic status of father. Results are discussed in terms of the nonspecific effects of parental disturbance on family relationships and reasons for the absence of alcoholism specific effects on parent-child interaction.