Thesis Format
Monograph
Degree
Master of Arts
Program
Psychology
Supervisor
Stewart, Shannon
Abstract
Children and youth who have parents who abuse substances are at risk of developing externalizing problems (e.g., rule-breaking, aggressive/antisocial behaviour, underage drinking/drug use) and face a variety of risk factors including family factors (e.g., parenting, level of monitoring, abuse, and neglect), and child-related factors (e.g., mental health, behavioural, substance use problems) that impact levels of family functioning, parenting strengths, school disengagement, externalizing difficulties, and service complexity. Currently, there is lack of information and recognition that children of parents with substance use disorders require mental health services, with limited research regarding the requirements of service intensity and complexity for children’s mental health when focusing on this specific population of children effected by parental substance abuse. To address this gap in literature, data was obtained from 18701 clinically referred children and youth (4 to 18 -years) across the Province of Ontario using the interRAI Child and Youth Mental Health Assessment. Findings revealed that treatment-seeking children of substance abusing parents rated higher on externalizing behaviours, school disengagement, family dysfunction, lack of parenting strengths, and service complexity than children with parents who do not abuse substances. Implications and recommendations for service professionals to support service system integration utilizing an assessment-to-intervention process to support families engaged in mental health and substance use problems are discussed.
Summary for Lay Audience
When children and youth are exposed to parental substance abuse, they are at risk of developing adverse outcomes, such as aggressive and antisocial behaviour, and face many family and child-related risk factors that can have a negative effect on levels of family functioning, parenting strengths, engagement in school, externalizing behaviours, and the complexity of services these children and families require. More information and recognition of the mental health needs of children exposed to parental substance abuse is needed in psychology literature. To address this gap, the present study examined externalizing behaviours, family functioning, parenting strengths, school disengagement, and service complexity in children with substance using parents. Findings revealed that treatment-seeking children of substance abusing parents rated higher on externalizing behaviours, school disengagement, family dysfunction, lack of parenting strengths, and service complexity than children with parents who do not abuse substances. Suggestions and recommendations for service professionals to support service system integration using an assessment-to-intervention process to support families engaged in mental health and substance use problems are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Oldenhof, Macall E., "Examining service complexity in children with parents who abuse substances" (2023). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 9297.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/9297
Included in
Child Psychology Commons, Clinical Psychology Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons, School Psychology Commons