The Development of Social Competencies and Problems in Children with a Parental History of Alcohol Use Disorder

Social problems and competencies are important characteristics that affect the developing child and important outcomes later in life. However, the development of social problems and competencies among children with a parental history of alcohol use disorder (COAs) is not well understood. Therefore, the current study aimed to describe the developmental trajectories of social problems and competencies in COAs and non-COAs. Children and adolescents between the ages of 8 to 12 and their parents participated in a longitudinal study. Children completed the Youth Self Report, and parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist, the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test, and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Questionnaire. The Youth Self Report and the Child Behavior Checklist were completed annually for three years, while the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview were completed at Time 1. Latent Growth Curve Modeling was used to assess the effect of COA and sex on the development of social problems and competencies over time. There were significant interactions between sex and COA on child reports of social problems and parent reports of social competencies. Results suggest that COA girls may be particularly at risk for concerning social development trajectories in youth. Future studies should determine what aspects of living with a parent with an alcohol use disorder led to COA girls having difficulties with healthy social development. This may inform resources and aid these children during critical developmental periods.