Vulnerable parenting among mothers with substance abuse in their family of origin: a cross-sectional comparative study of mothers in an infant and toddler program.

Eva Tedgård,Maria Råstam

doi:10.1186/s40064-016-3045-0

Eva Tedgård, Maria Råstam

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-016-3045-0

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Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate whether women raised in a family with substance abuse constitute a particularly vulnerable group of patients in an infant psychiatry setting and to identify the risk factors of suspected parental malfunctioning in women referred to treatment in an infant and toddler intervention program.BackgroundA history of family substance abuse can severely disrupt the caretaking abilities of parents in ways that can have far-reaching consequences, and children growing up with insufficient parental care may incorporate this deficiency into their own parental behavior.MethodsIn total, 126 mothers completed self-report questionnaires assessing their substance abuse and health problems as well as problems in their family of origin. The index group was defined as women who reported substance abuse in their family of origin (n = 35). The comparison group was defined as women who denied substance abuse in their family of origin (n = 91).ResultsSymptoms of depression and anxiety were overrepresented in the total group of mothers compared with the Swedish norm. The index group had experienced parental divorce and traumatic life events more often and reported earlier substance abuse of their own. They had significantly more depression and ADHD symptoms and were more often single parents. All these factors can have a negative influence, separately or in combination, on the ability to practice sensitive parenting.ConclusionsFemale offspring of substance-abusing parents are an especially vulnerable group of patients. To prevent the intergenerational transmission of alcohol and drug abuse, it is important to identify parents with specific needs and to administer targeted treatment and support at primary health care centers and child psychiatric clinics.

Highlights

A history of family substance abuse can severely disrupt the caretaking abilities of parents in ways that can have far-reaching consequences, and children growing up with insufficient parental care may incorporate this deficiency into their own parental behavior
The objective of the present study was to investigate whether women raised in a family with substance abuse constitute a vulnerable group of patients in an infant psychiatry setting and to identify risk factors for suspected parental malfunctioning in women referred to the intervention program for parent–child relationship problems
Treatment in infant psychiatry has the overall goal of facilitating the development of the infant and optimizing the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Symptoms of anxiety HADS Symptoms of depression Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) Harmful use of alcohol Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) Drug-related problems Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Highly probable attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Summary

Introduction

A history of family substance abuse can severely disrupt the caretaking abilities of parents in ways that can have far-reaching consequences, and children growing up with insufficient parental care may incorporate this deficiency into their own parental behavior. It is well documented that relationships in one’s family of origin are an important factor affecting parenting skills (Solomon and George 2011). Parents who view their own early caregivers as hostile and insensitive are thought to be more likely. The influence of parents’ substance abuse on the health of their offspring is far-reaching (Anda et al 2002; Bakoyiannis et al 2014; Balsa et al 2009; Elkins et al 2004; Velleman et al 2008) and can severely disrupt parents’ caretaking abilities. It has been suggested that the dual diagnosis of substance abuse and ADHD carries an added risk of negative parenting (Johnston et al 2012)

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