Delinquency, Childhood Violence, and the Development of Alcoholism in Women

Abstract

The interrelationships of delinquent activities and their consequences on the development of alcoholism in women were examined. Interview data were analyzed from a sample of 45 alcoholic women selected from local treatment agencies and Alcoholics Anonymous groups and 40 nonalcoholic women selected randomly from a household population to form the comparison group. Delinquent activity included status offenses such as running away and cutting classes, as well as more serious offenses, including fighting, stealing, and driving offenses. Official involvement as a juvenile was also assessed. Alcoholic women were significantly more likely than the random sample of women to report stealing, legal interventions, running away, and fighting. Multivariate analyses indicated that both stealing and legal interventions were important predictors of alcoholism problems in women, even when family background and childhood experiences, such as childhood sexual abuse and father-to-child violence were considered.