Intergenerational Continuity in Alcohol Misuse: Maternal Alcohol Use Disorder and the Sequelae of Maternal and Family Functioning

Using longitudinal data from 385 mother–child dyads, we found that maternal alcohol use disorder, subsequent financial strain, and depressive symptoms produce a negative family climate. In turn, a negative family climate increases the likelihood of early-onset alcohol use among offspring. We discuss implications of these findings for prevention programming.