Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effects of alcohol outcome expectancy anddepression on the relation between parents`` problematic drinking and their collegiate children``s problematic drinking. Methods: This study was conducted using a descriptive survey design. Subjects were 342 university students fromthree universities in Gwangju city and Jeollanamdo. Data were collected from November to December 2013 using self-report questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19.0. Results: Of the participants, 31.0% were in the adult children of alcoholics (ACOA) group. The ACOA group scored significantly higher on problem drinking, alcohol outcome expectancy, and depression measures than did the non-ACOA group. There were significant positive correlations between parent problematic drinking and university students’ alcohol outcome expectancy, depression and, problematic drinking. It was also found that alcohol outcome expectancy partially mediated the relationship between parent problematic drinking and their children``s problematic drinking. This was not found for depression. Conclusions: Based on the present findings, nursing interventions should be developed to decreasealcohol outcome expectancy, with additional consideration regarding depression, in order to prevent problematic drinking among ACOA.