Risk factors in alcoholism: The role of family environment

Pages: 1347-1352
Jyoti Sharma and Anita Sharma (Department of Psychology, H.P.U., Shimla, Himachal Pradesh)

The present investigation was done to examine the role of family environment in the determination of alcohol abusers. For accomplishing these objectives, a sample of 180 alcoholics from urban and rural areas (90 each) belonging to upper, middle and lower class (60 each) from two districts of Himachal Pradesh (Shimla & Kinnaur) was taken. The age range of the sample was 25-45 years. Step-wise regression analysis was done to find out the main predictors of alcoholism. The main findings point to the following facts: In urban sample, cohesion (-) expressiveness (-) and control (+) have significantly contributed 20% of variance in alcoholism, whereas, in rural area, cohesion (-), expressiveness (-) and organisation (-) have emerged on the significant predictors contributing 31% of variance in alcoholism. In middle class sample, cohesion (-) and control (+) have significantly contributed 30% of variance in alcoholism, in lower class sample, conflict (+) and achievement orientation (-) have significantly contributed 20% of variance in alcoholism. Thus, it can be concluded that family environment plays a vital role in alcoholism.