Parental drug and alcohol misuse. Resilience and transition among young people.

This study explores the experiences of 38 young people, aged 15–27 years, who had at least one parent with a drug or alcohol problem, using in-depth qualitative interviews, incorporating a ‘life grid’ to examine what these young people reported about their childhoods, their current situation and their futures.

Abstract

A growing number of children are affected by parental substance misuse, and policy and practice increasingly recognise the need to tackle the problems that this causes. Currently, the needs of older children are less well known or addressed. This study explores the experiences of 38 young people, aged 15–27 years, who had at least one parent with a drug or alcohol problem. The research was conducted using in-depth qualitative interviews, incorporating a ‘life grid’, to examine what these young people reported about their childhoods, their current situation and their futures. Both men and women participated in the study, from diverse backgrounds. Participants were recruited through a range of formal and informal settings.