Unpacking the parallel effects of parental alcohol misuse and low income on risk of supervisory neglect

Abstract

Although low income status and parent alcohol misuse are considered critical risk factors for child neglect, little is known about the mechanisms of this association. No known research has assessed the parallel effect of each on occurrence of child neglect. This study aimed to explore the direct and indirect effects of parent alcohol misuse and low family income on risk of supervisory neglect through mediating factors such as parent depressive symptoms and low social support. The study used a sample of 2,990 parents of children under 13 years old who completed a listed telephone survey conducted in 50 mid-sized cities within California during 2009. We used a structural equation model to estimate the direct and indirect effects of parent alcohol misuse (defined as heavy drinking frequency) and low family income on supervisory neglect toward a focal child, as well as the indirect effect via parental depressive symptoms and low social support. Mediation analysis to capture direct, indirect, and total effects of these two independent variables were also conducted. Results revealed a significant direct effect of low family income on likelihood of supervisory neglect. Low income also exhibited an indirect effect via increased depressive symptoms and low social support. Annual frequency of heavy drinking showed no direct effect on supervisory neglect likelihood, but an indirect effect was observed via increased depressive symptoms and decreased social support. Parent low income and high frequency heavy drinking likely increases risks for supervisory neglect through distinct pathways. Longitudinal research is needed to confirm the pathways identified within this study.

The relationship between parental heavy drinking and non-fatal overdose among people who inject drugs in Vancouver, Canada

“…Pathways previously identified linking exposure to parents with alcohol use disorder and negative health outcomes involve social and biological factors, which research indicates may be similar pathways for less severe parental alcohol misuse, including heavy drinking (Mares, van der Vorst, Engels, & Lichtwarck-Aschoff, 2011). For parents, heavy drinking may be a coping mechanism for depressive symptoms and low social support resulting in supervisory neglect towards children (Lloyd & Kepple, 2017). In turn, supervisory neglect may lead to not only juvenile delinquency but also decreased educational attainment and consequently reduced employment opportunities resulting in psychological distress (Bijttebier & Goethals, 2006;Snyder & Merritt, 2015).…”

“…The limited research investigating parental heavy drinking has primarily focused on alcohol outcomes and identified associations ranging from earlier initiation into alcohol consumption to increased alcohol dependence in adulthood (Parker & Harford, 1987;Rossow, Keating, Felix, & McCambridge, 2016). For many individuals, heavy drinking is indicative of alcohol misuse (Lloyd & Kepple, 2017). While the concurrent use of opioids and alcohol is an established risk factor for drug overdose (Shah, Lathrop, Reichard, & Landen, 2008), previous research has also indicated that many other potential pathways might exist linking parental heavy drinking with adult non-fatal drug overdoses, including factors such as depressive symptoms, low social support, juvenile delinquency, dysfunctional family environments, and low family cohesion (Bijttebier & Goethals, 2006;Finan, Schulz, Gordon, & Ohannessian, 2015;Pabayo, Alcantara, Kawachi, Wood, & Kerr, 2013;Snyder & Merritt, 2015).…”

Impact of Alcohol Outlet Density on Reported Cases of Child Maltreatment in Japan: Fixed Effects Analysis

“…For example, increased outlet density was linked to increased amount of drinking for parents who have problematic alcohol drinking habits, which was reported to be associated with physical child abuse (32). Alcohol misuse was also related to depressive symptoms, leading to low social support and neglect (33). In addition, alcohol may facilitate or incite family violence by providing a socially acceptable excuse for the negative behavior such as neglect or physical abuse (30).…”

Changes in Electroencephalography Alpha Associated With Childhood Neglect and Adolescent Alcohol Use

“…The diathesis-stress model lends itself to understanding brain-behavior differences that may confer risk for harmful alcohol use in some, but not all, neglected adolescents (Allen et al, 2011; McKeever & Huff, 2003). The relationship between childhood neglect and adolescent health consequences, including alcohol use, has also been found to vary by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status (Lloyd & Kepple, 2017; Wilson et al, 2015). Thus, measuring brain function with electroencephalography (EEG) while controlling for these sociodemographic characteristics could help identify individual vulnerability to AUD among neglected adolescents (Ehlers et al, 2015; Ehlers & Phillips, 2003; Howells et al, 2012).…”