Substance abuse, neglect and violence; the impact on children and their adult life
Jóna Ólafsdóttir
The University of Iceland
Jona Olafsdottir, Social Work, MA, MSW, PhD (c), is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Iceland. Her teaching focuses on topics such as drug addiction and domestic violence and she teaches both in classroom setting and supervising in field practice for students in social work. She holds an MA in Social Work from the University of Iceland. She is currently also pursuing a joint Ph.D. in the field of families and drug addiction between the Department of Social Work, University of Iceland and University of Lapland, Finland. Her research field is in alcohol and drug abuse and the impact addiction has on the family members and the family system. In 2007, she started her private practice providing clinical counseling for individuals with addiction and their families.
Abstract
Harmful use of addictive substances is considered to be one of the key risk factors for poor health, not only for the user themselves but also for their family (WHO, 2010). When interactions within the family are based on... [ view full abstract ]
Harmful use of addictive substances is considered to be one of the key risk factors for poor health, not only for the user themselves but also for their family (WHO, 2010). When interactions within the family are based on trust and intimacy it contributes to the development of a healthy identity and self-confidence. Children who grow up in this environment find it easier to trust others and to form close relationships in their adult years (Park, Crocker and Mickelson, 2004). Research suggests that in those families with alcohol and/or substance abuse, the environment and roles of family members are often disorganised and unstable. Children can experience neglect and/or violence and be witness to such. Moreover, the financial standing of the family can deteriorate which can lead to the children experiencing social isolation (Williams and Francis, 2010; Johnson and Stone, 2009).
The aim of this research project was to examine family cohesion and communication in families where one member is chemically dependent. Two ten-item scales, the Family Communication Scale (FCS) and the Family Satisfaction Scale (FSS) were given to 115 participants at the beginning of a four week family therapy programme at the Icelandic National Centre for Addiction Treatment (SÁÁ) between October 2014 and June 2015. The study investigated whether there was a difference in the average reported responses on the FCS and the FSS in families with a chemically dependent parent, sibling, spouse/partner or child. The results indicate that the participants experienced low family cohesion and closeness overall, and they were concerned about family relations and the quality of their communication. Participants who had parents with an addiction ranked family cohesion and communication lower compared to those who had a spouse/partner, siblings or children with an addiction.
Keywords: Domestic violence, substance abuse, families, children, family therapy, family cohesion/satisfaction, family relations/communication.
Authors
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Jóna Ólafsdóttir
(The University of Iceland)
Topic Area
Physical and Emotional/Psychological Abuse and Neglect
Session
Daily » Poster Sessions (14:00 - Wednesday, 4th October, King Willem Alexander Foyer)
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