An upbringing with substance-abusing parents: Experiences of parentification and dysfunctional communication

Abstract

Aim: To increase understanding of the consequences of growing up with substance-abusing parents, including how this can influence the experience of becoming a parent. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 19 parents who had participated in an Infant and Toddler Psychiatry Unit intervention programme and who had experienced substance-abusing parents in their family of origin. Directed qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: Analysis of the interview material revealed both a high incidence of parentification and a conspiracy of silence concerning the substance abuse that helped generate symptoms of cognitive dissonance in the children. As parents they experience a high degree of inadequacy, incompetence and stress. Conclusion: A majority of the children who had grown up with substance-abusing parents responded by taking a parenting role for themselves, their siblings and their parents. These children, often well-behaved and seemingly competent, need to be identified and offered support as they risk developing significant psychological and emotional difficulties that can extend into adulthood. They form an extra sensitive group who may need special support up to and including

Childhood narratives about the experience of growing up with alcoholic parents

“…In my reading of two important articles in this special issue ( Tamutienė & Jogaitė, 2019 ; Tedgård, Råstam, & Wirtberg, 2019 ) I find great correspondence between the childhood narratives analysed in these two contexts, those in my own research and previous studies in the field. This accentuates a number of critical questions for research and clinical practice.…”

“…In fact, viewed over time it could be argued that the support offered, contrary to its purpose, functioned as a facilitator for continued alcohol abuse. Tedgård, Råstam, and Wirtberg (2019) highlight the need for the children of alcoholics to receive early support to acquire a language that enables them cognitively and emotionally to comprehend and process their childhood situations, and to identify their own feelings and needs. If not, as is shown in their research, childhood traumas are encapsulated in wordless experiences, which can negatively affect their parental abilities.…”

The effects of obligation on relationships and well-being over time in middle adulthood

“…With or without reciprocity, individuals’ sense of obligation frequently seems to be the glue that holds some of their relationships together. Yet, it also seems that too much obligation can have adverse effects on individuals and their close relationships (e.g., Tedgård et al, 2018). A survey of the existing literature provides a mixed portrait of the role of obligation on both individuals’ well-being and the quality of their relationships.…”

A window of opportunity for children growing up with parental substance-use problems

“…Two articles have raised concerns about children growing up with parental substance use in this issue of NAD ( Tamutienė & Jogaitė, 2019 ; Tedgård, Råstam, & Wirtberg, 2019 ). One of the articles describes a qualitative study of children growing up with parental substance-use problems, selected from a population of “social risk families” from the statutory child welfare system in Lithuania.…”