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The association between parental and adolescent substance misuse: findings from the Irish CASE study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 January 2015

Helen S. Keeley ,
T. Mongwa  and
P. Corcoran
Helen S. Keeley*
Affiliation:
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, North Cork Area, Health Service Executive South, Mallow, Co Cork, Ireland National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Ireland
T. Mongwa
Affiliation:
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, North Cork Area, Health Service Executive South, Mallow, Co Cork, Ireland
P. Corcoran
Affiliation:
National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Ireland Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: CAMHS, Health Service Executive, Cork, Ireland. (Email: helen.keeley1@hse.ie)
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Abstract

Background

Self-report data from 2716 adolescents aged 15–17 years old in Irish schools were analysed to consider the association between psycho-social factors and the presence of adolescent substance and alcohol abuse, with an emphasis on family circumstances.

Methods

Data were collected using the ‘Lifestyle and Coping Questionnaire’ which includes questions about lifestyle, coping, problems, alcohol and drug use, deliberate self-harm, depression, anxiety, impulsivity and self-esteem. Two additional questions were added to the standard questionnaire regarding parental substance misuse.

Results

Adolescent substance abuse was more common in boys; parental substance misuse increased the risk of adolescent abuse of alcohol and drugs; the increased risk was marginally higher if the parental substance abuse was maternal rather than paternal; the increased risk was higher if the parental substance abuse affected both rather than one of the parents, especially regarding adolescent drug abuse; the magnitude of the increased risk was similar for boys and girls. Parental substance misuse increased the risk of adolescent substance abuse even after adjusting for other family problems and the adolescent’s psychological characteristics.

Conclusions

This study indicates that parental substance misuse affects the development of both alcohol and drug misuse in adolescent children independent of other family problems and the psychological characteristics of the adolescent. A wider perspective is needed, including societal and family issues, especially parental behaviour, when attempting to reduce risk of adolescent addiction. The impact on children of parental substance misuse also needs consideration in clinical contexts.

Keywords

Adolescentalcoholismgender specific risksparentssubstance-related disorders
Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 32 , Issue 1: Special Issue: Youth Mental Health , March 2015 , pp. 107 - 116
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2015 

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