Perceptions Of Having A Parent With Alcohol Related Issues’ Role In Academic Achievement And Self Esteem In High School

Abstract

Children of Alcoholics (COAs) tend to have negative outcomes for academic achievement and self-esteem (Carbonneau, Vitaro & Tremblay, 2017; Park & Schepp, 2014). The aim of this study was to understand how people that had a parent(s) with alcoholism or alcohol related issues while they were in high school perceive that their experience impacted their academic achievement and self esteem. To answer this, we conducted an anonymous survey through RedCap, consisting of 37 questions, including closed-ended and open-ended questions that asked about parent alcohol use, academic achievement and self esteem. This study concludes that parent alcohol use and failing an assignment, missing school mentally and parents impacting academic performance were related, however, parent alcohol use and self-esteem are not related. Further research should aim to interview participants and find other factors that may be impacted by having a parent with alcohol related issues. Due to the findings of this study, programs should be implemented to help COAs and should focus more on academics such as, preventing students from failing an assignment or missing school mentally, and less on self-esteem.