The Relationship between Alexithymia and Parental Rearing Style in Individuals Raised in Alcoholic Families

Problems associated with alcohol use within the family constitute a significant factor in the development of various somatic and mental disorders among all family members. A child's close contact with an alcohol-dependent individual is accompanied by a range of psychological consequences that impede effective socio-psychological functioning and threaten mental health. This study examined the characteristics of alexithymia in relation to the traits of the "Adult Children of Alcoholics" (ACA) syndrome and parental rearing styles in university students with one alcohol-dependent parent. Established difficulties include challenges in describing their own feelings, pronounced codependency in relationships, and a hostile and inconsistent upbringing style in the families of these students compared to a control group. Intergroup differences and correlations among the measured characteristics are demonstrated.