Young adult offspring and their families of origin: cohesion, adaptability, and addiction.

This study examined relationships among measures of family functioning (FACES-II), number of family addictions, and risk of alcoholism (Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test, SMAST) in a college sample. Multiple regression analyses indicated that the number of family addictions and the additively combined FACES-II scales each predicted scores on the SMAST. Thus, addictions in the family contribute to offspring alcoholism both directly, through their presence, and indirectly, through family functioning. Information on the history of a wide range of family addictions and on the functioning style of the family of origin can be valuable in assessing and addressing addiction risk.