Personal readiness for marriage in adult children of alcoholics and adult children of non-alcoholics

Abstract

A small body of research suggests that young adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) are less prepared for marriage than their non-ACOA peers. This study examined readiness for marriage between ACOAs and non-ACOAs. A sample of 132 college students completed both the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test (CAST), which distinguishes adult children of alcoholics from adult children of non-alcoholics, and the Personal Readiness for Marriage Scale, which measures reported levels of personal readiness for marriage. The results of the comparison of mean values on the overall score and 10 subscales of the Personal Readiness for Marriage Scale between ACOAs and non-ACOAs were not significant. The null hypothesis was retained. There was no statistical significance between scores on the Personal Readiness for Marriage Scale for college students with an alcoholic parent compared to college students not raised by an alcoholic parent. These results contradict past limited research in this area and indicate that further investigation is necessary before any legitimate conclusions can be drawn regarding young ACOAs and their readiness for marriage.