Parental alcohol use disorder is associated with an increased likelihood of marriage to a spouse with alcohol use disorder, a Swedish population-based study has found. In particular, daughters of affected mothers were more likely to have an affected spouse.

More than one million individuals (1,171,070) born in Sweden between 1965 and 1975 for whom data on parental alcohol use disorder were available were included in the study. Just over half (51.4%) were male. Data on the participants were obtained from a number of national Swedish population registry datasets.

Individuals were classified as having a lifetime history of alcohol use disorder if they had been given an alcohol-related primary or secondary medical diagnosis, a minimum of two alcohol-related registrations in the Swedish Crime and Suspicion register (for example drink driving); or had a record of being prescribed a drug used in the treatment of alcohol disorders (for example, disulfiram, acamprosate).

Having a parent affected by alcohol use disorder increased the odds of marrying an affected spouse for both male and female offspring; odds ratio (OR) 1.47 (95% CI: 1.38-1.57) and OR 1.63 (95% CI: 1.56-1.70) respectively.

The effects were more pronounced for those with two compared with one affected parent; OR 1.35 (95% CI: 1.09-1.67) for men and OR 1.36 (95% CI: 1.18-1.55) for women.

Daughters of affected mothers were more likely to have husbands with alcohol use disorder OR 1.68 (95% CI: 1.54-1.84) compared with those of affected fathers OR 1.56 (95% CI: 1.48-1.64), while there was no difference for sons.

All associations remained after correction for various confounding factors.

A parental history of alcohol use disorder was also associated with a higher likelihood of marriage under the age of 25 but a lower likelihood of marriage after the age of 25, compared with those with no parental history of alcohol disorder. These associations were stronger when an individual had two affected parents rather than one.

Having a parent with alcohol use disorder is known to be associated with a range of psychosocial difficulties in adult life. The authors of this study have shown an impact on marital behaviour for those with a parent who misused alcohol and note that those who are themselves at higher risk of developing an alcohol use disorder because of parental history are more likely to find themselves in the least protective marital environments.

The authors conclude by stating they hope this knowledge will help clinicians and support groups raise awareness that a parental history

of alcohol use disorder can further negatively shape the environment of offspring and increase their risk for alcohol use disorder.

Dr Jez Thompson