Risk Factors in Alcoholism:The Role of Family Environment

The present investigation was done to examine the role of family environment in the determination of alcohol abusers. For accomplishing these objectives, a sample of 180 alcoholics from urban and rural areas (90 each) belonging to upper, middle and lower class (60 each) from two districts of Himachal Pradesh (Shimla & Kinnaur) was taken. The age range of the sample was 25-45 years. Step-wise regression analysis was done to find out the main predictors of alcoholism. The main findings point to the following facts: In urban sample, cohesion (-) expressiveness (-) and control (+) have significantly contributed 20% of variance in alcoholism, whereas, in rural area, cohesion (-), expressiveness (-) and organisation (-) have emerged on the significant predictors contributing 31% of variance in alcoholism. In middle class sample, cohesion (-) and control (+) have significantly contributed 30% of variance in alcoholism, in lower class sample, conflict (+) and achievement orientation (-) have significantly contributed 20% of variance in alcoholism. Thus, it can be concluded that family environment plays a vital role in alcoholism.