The relationship between need for control, attachment style, and relationship satisfaction among adult children of alcoholics.

Abstract

This study investigated possible differences in need for control, attachment style, and relationship satisfaction between ACOAs and adult children of non-alcoholics (ACONAs). Results from correlations run on the dependent variables indicated that need for control, attachment style, and relationship satisfaction were significantly correlated across the board for both the ACOA and ACONA groups. A multivariate analysis of variance followed by a discriminant analysis was used to investigate possible differences between the two groups on the dependent variables of need for control, attachment style, and relationship satisfaction. The results revealed that the two groups differed significantly on the variables of need for control and relationship satisfaction with the ACOAs reporting a significantly higher need for control and significantly lower relationship satisfaction. ACOAs also reported a more insecure attachment style than ACONAs, but the mean difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. While separate regression equations failed to support the predictive ability of certain demographic variables (possibly due to small sample size), preliminary analyses on these variables showed the two groups did indeed differ significantly on the quality of communication and level of family conflict in the family of origin, family stress level, and therapeutic involvement. A discussion of the theoretical, practical, and clinical implications is also included.