Problems Faced by Children of Alcoholics Admitted in Selected De-Addiction Centers in Mangalore

Alcoholism is a family disease which affects the children with the same intensity that it affects the wife, in fact even more. Children of alcoholic families are at greater risk for poor psychosocial adjustments like guilt, embarrassment, confusion, anger, depression, poor peer relationship, school problems and health problems. Compared to Western countries Indian literature with regard to the psychosocial aspects of children of alcoholics is scanty. The study aimed to find out the Problems faced by the children of alcoholic fathers attending selected de- addiction centers in Mangalore. An explorative survey approach was adopted for the study. In the present study the sample consisted of 60 children(10 to 14 years) of alcoholic fathers. The data collection tool included Rating scale to assess the problems faced by the children of alcoholic fathers and baseline performa. Among 60 samples 16.6% had severe, 61.7% moderate and 21.7% of them experienced mild degree of problems due to their father's alcoholism. The chi- square values between degree of problems faced by the children and selected variables like age, sex, birth order of children, income of family, duration of father's alcoholism and treatment received for alcoholism were not significant at 0.05. The focus of health practitioners is directed towards primary prevention. The study concluded that nursing personnel, who comes in closer contact with the children of alcoholic fathers, can identify the problems of these children and to cope successfully with emotionally hazardous Experience and to develop a close bond with the caregiver.