Aims relating to ALSPAC

This project aims to identify the mechanisms by which different levels, patterns and durations of alcohol consumption by one family member impact the health, well-being and life opportunities of other family members.

Hypotheses

Core hypotheses (children):

1. Having a heavy drinking parent in the household will have a negative effect on child outcomes at present and future waves.

2. Negative effects will be more pronounced when (a) the mother rather than father is a heavy drinker and (b) where both parents rather than only one parent are heavy drinkers.

3. Amongst children with a drinking parent, negative effects will be more pronounced where (a) other risk factors are in place, (b) the drinking has an effect on parenting behaviours and (c) the drinking negatively affects the relationships in the household.

4. Negative effects will be less pronounced where heavy drinking is not present at all waves either due to cessation or the drinker leaving the household.

5. Negative effects will be less pronounced where children have protective or resilience factors in place.

Core hypotheses (partners)

1. Having a heavy drinking partner (HDP) will have a negative effect on the other partner's (OP) well-being.

2. Having a HDP will reduce the OP's relationship satisfaction and increase the likelihood of relationship breakdown.

3. Negative effects for the OP will be more pronounced where (a) the OP drinks significantly less/less often than the HDP (b), the OP experiences other concurrent risk factors and (c) the HDP's heavy drinking persists across multiple waves.

4. Negative effects on the OP will be less pronounced where protective or resilience factors are in place.

Exposure:

Drinking measures

High level of consumption

High score on dependence screeners

Perceived drink problems

Outcome measures:

Child development:

- Cognitive

- Behavioural

- Social

- Psychological/emotional

- Parent/child relationship

Child health:

- Developmental milestones

- Health problems

- Accidents

Adult (mother and partner) well-being:

- Mental health

- General health

- Quality of life

Mother and partner relationships:

- Relationship satisfaction

- Relationship breakdown

- Domestic abuse

Moderators/mediators

Parenting behaviours, style, resources and self-efficacy

Family organisation (e.g. regular mealtimes)

Social support

Parental mental health*

Household composition (e.g. no. of children)

Marital status*

Socioeconomic status

Demographic characteristics (e.g. age, gender, ethnicity)

Financial measures (e.g. income, debt)

Housing situation and characteristics (e.g. social housing, safe environment, neighbourhood deprivation)

Residential area characteristics (e.g. area-level deprivation)

*Indicates risk, resilience or protective factors which are also outcome measures in their own right.