Psychological
Characteristics of Children
of Alcoholics KENNETH J.
SHER, PH.D. More than 20
years ago, researchers
first noted that children of
alcoholics (COA’;s)
appeared to be affected
by a variety of problems
over the course of their life
span. Such problems
include; fetal alcohol
syndrome, which is first
manifested in infancy;
emotional problems and
hyperactivity in childhood;
emotional problems and
conduct problems in
adolescence; and the
development of alcoholism
in adulthood. Although
much has been learned
over the ensuing two
decades, a number of
controversial research
areas remain. In particular,
debate stems from the fact
that despite a common
interest in COA’;s, clinically
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