Research on Children of Alcoholics: past and future

Summary There are 28.6 million children of alcoholics in the United States; one out of every eight Americans. Many of them suffer negative physical, mental and emotional consequences as a result of parental alcoholism. Research investigations of their health status, cognitive abilities and adaptive behaviors confirm these problems although notable impediments to research efforts presently exist. Among the fruitful areas for future study are investigations which explore levels of vulnerability and risk factors for children of alcoholics in combination with genetic and psychosocial factors. Other recommendations for study as well as the major activities of the Children of Alcoholics Foundation to promote and disseminate research findings and new data are described.