Parenting under the influence: The effects of opioids, alcohol and cocaine on mother–child interaction

Abstract

Nearly 20% of adults receiving treatment for a substance use disorder live with their minor children (Stanger et al., 1999) and women in drug use treatment are twice as likely as men to have children in their household (Wechsberg et al., 1998). Parental drug use impacts the family through reduced family resources such as money and food, and researchers consistently note parenting deficits among substance users (Solis, Shadur, Burns, & Hussong, 2012). Little is known about differences in parenting and mother-child interaction among mothers with different drugs of choice or among mothers of older children, between 8 to 16 years. This study reports the findings from a sample of treatment seeking opioid, alcohol and cocaine using mothers and their 8-16 year old child. Findings from a mother-child observational task and self-reported parenting measure indicated less undermining autonomy and mother maternal acceptance among opioid compared to alcohol addicted mothers. African American mothers were observed to have fewer negative interactional behaviors than Whites and both African American mothers and children self-reported higher firm control and maternal acceptance. Overall, mothers appeared to struggle with effective discipline with older versus younger children. Findings offer useful information to clinicians seeking to effectively tailor their interventions to women and children who present with different drugs of abuse, race/culture and developmental stage of child.

The Effect of Paternal Addiction on Adolescent Suicide Attempts: A Qualitative Study

“…Despite the fact that attempting suicide is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon, the results of this study, along with other studies that have examined the impact of maternal addiction, show that parental addiction can increase adolescent suicide attempts (25-27). Adolescents show a spectrum of psychological reactions to paternal addiction; with time, they may even come to believe that suicide provides the only escape from their painful psychological situations.…”

Modeling risk for child abuse and harsh parenting in families with depressed and substance-abusing parents

“…In addition, mothers in dual SUD couples reported significantly more depressive symptoms than mothers with SUD partners. This finding is not surprising given the well-evidenced association between SUD and mood disorders (Grant et al, 2004; Kessler et al, 2003; Luthar & Sexton, 2007) and previous research showing that relative to living with SUD partners, mothers’ SUD is associated with higher negative affect (see Gruber & Taylor, 2006 for a review; Hien & Honeyman, 2000; Pears et al, 2007; Slesnick et al, 2014). Our findings are therefore consistent with literature suggesting that dual SUD may create greater risk for children in these homes (Dube et al, 2001; Osborne & Berger, 2009; Walsh et al, 2003).…”

“…Children of opioid-using, alcohol-using, or dual substance-using mothers, for example, endorsed high levels of maternal rejection, psychological control, and inconsistent discipline on the Child's Report of Parenting Behavior Inventory (CRPBI; Slesnick, Feng, Brakenhoff, & Brigham, 2014). Even more troubling, maternal SUD has been associated with an increased risk for child abuse and neglect (e.g., Grella, Hser, & Huang, 2006; Gruber & Taylor, 2006 for a review; Hien & Honeyman, 2000).…”

Families Affected by Parental Substance Use

“…32 Parenting impairment varies to different degrees depending on which substances parents use. 34 Mandatory involvement of child protective services helps ensure a child's safety but may result in the child being placed in an alternate living situation with a relative (ie, kinship care) or unrelated caregiver. 35 Nonetheless, transition into foster care may be necessary to protect a child's physical safety.…”