Experiences of parents with an adolescent abusing substances admitted to a mental health institution in Giyani, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Substance abuse by adolescents may be a problem that contributes to their mental illness. Substance abuse does affect not only the individual who is abusing it but also friends, family and the whole community. The adolescent abusing substances may be mentally unstable and have unpredictable behaviour. There is no research on the experiences of parents with adolescents abusing substances in Giyani, South Africa.Objective: The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of parents with adolescents abusing substances admitted to a mental health institution in Giyani.Method: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used. Data were collected by means of conducting individual, in-depth, phenomenological interviews, observations and field notes. The following central question was asked to the participants: ‘How is it for you to have an adolescent who is abusing substances’. Data were analysed by using a thematic method of coding. An independent coder analysed data together with the researcher, and consensus was reached.Results: Four themes emerged from the data: parents experienced uncontrolled thoughts regarding their adolescent abusing substances, not being able to control their adolescent abusing substances through discipline, negative feelings regarding their adolescent abusing substances and negative consequences regarding their adolescents abusing substances.Conclusion: From the study result, it is clear that parents with adolescent abusing substances need professional assistance and support as evidenced by the challenges faced in terms of promoting, maintaining and restoring their mental health. Psychiatric nurses should take responsibility to educate the community about substance abuse, for example offering school health programmes. Further research studies can also be conducted in other villages to gain a greater understanding of those parents’ experiences with an adolescent abusing substances.

Engaging youth in stakeholder analysis for developing community‐based digital innovations for mental health of young people in Ingwavuma community, inKwaZulu‐NatalProvince, South Africa

“…Parent involvement is a well‐established correlate of adolescent well‐being; however, half of the participants felt their parents were not interested and were thus likely to play a limited role in the envisaged project. The young people's concern corroborates Hlungwani, Ntshingila, Poggenpoel, and Myburgh ( 2020 , p. 1) assertion that some parents experience a sense worthlessness and powerlessness in terms managing their adolescents children's mental health challenges. The results highlight the need for improved parent–adolescent communication and co‐operation on tackling mental health challenges.…”

Family-Focused Nursing Research in WHO Afro-Region Member States: A Scoping Review

“…While there are limited family-focused publications within the WHO Afro-region, it is important to highlight the evidence of national, regional, and international multidisciplinary research collaborations (Adejoh et al., 2021; Aga et al., 2009; Fatoye et al., 2006; Hlungwani et al., 2020; Kululanga et al., 2012; McCreary et al., 2004; Musabirema et al., 2015; Nkosi et al., 2006; Nkwonta & Messias, 2019; Ntsayagae et al., 2019; Okumu et al., 2017; Outwater et al., 2012). However, despite the multidisciplinary involvement, compared with other health care professionals, nurses are often excluded and their voices are not considered in research (Holmes et al., 2020; Maree et al., 2017) despite being the front-line workers who deliver care.…”

Support Needs of Parents of Adolescents Abusing Substances in Selected Hospitals in Limpopo Province

“…The report by the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use states that there has been an increase in the number of users seeking treatment for the abuse of substances by young people in the Northern Provinces of South Africa, such as Limpopo [ 9 ]. An increase in the abuse of substances by adolescents has put a burden on parents who have to deal with the consequences of the of the addiction of their adolescents on a daily basis [ 10 ]. Thus, the there is a need to support parents.…”