Hidden Harms and Hidden Data: Innovative methods of estimating the number of children of parents who misuse substances, including alcohol
Karen Galligan
Trinity College Dublin
Karen Galligan: Principal Investigator, Researcher and PhD CandidateKaren is currently undertaking her PhD at Trinity College Dublin, Exploring the prevalence and impact of parental substance misuse on children. Concurrently Karen is working as a Principal Investigator (PI) on a tendered project exploring the numbers, needs, risks, and evidence based interventions for children of parental substance misuse, on behalf of Tusla Child and Family services and a Regional Drugs Task Force, whilst also working in the area of Policy and Research for Mental Health Ireland. Prior to this Karen completed work as PI on a study commissioned by a local Drugs and Alcohol Task Force and Barnardos, establishing the number of children impacted by parental substance misuse. In conjunction with this, Karen has worked extensively as a researcher/evaluator at both a National and European level in the areas of Mental Health, and at a national level in Stroke, and Disabilities.
Abstract
Background The impact of substance misuse on families and children is well established in International literature. Parental alcohol and other drug misuse is one of the problems most commonly associated with child... [ view full abstract ]
Background
The impact of substance misuse on families and children is well established in International literature. Parental alcohol and other drug misuse is one of the problems most commonly associated with child abuse/neglect and identified in families involved with social services. However, there is a clear information gap, in relation to the numbers of hidden children potentially adversely affected by parental alcohol and drug misuse.
Aim and objectives
The aim of this research was to devise a methodological framework for the estimation of the prevalence of the hidden numbers of children impacted by parental substance use in a local setting. The objective was to apply and test the implementation and usefulness of the framework within a local Irish context.
- Description of innovation
This study design was based on a concurrent quantitative/qualitative mixed methods design. The key quantitative estimation methods explored for the framework and its implementation were multi-source enumeration, the multiplier method, secondary data analysis of key data sources combined with an audit of local community drug response projects.
The qualitative component consisted of a needs assessment of local services along with their expert feedback on the validity of the prevalence results derived and their implications for practice and service provision.
Impact of innovation*
This study has provided an innovative universally applicable framework for estimating hidden prevalence estimates of hidden drug and alcohol harm to children in a local setting.
Conclusions and implications
The framework estimated that a minimum of 3.7% children were impacted by parental drug use of an illicit nature and additional results predicted that between 15-24% of children were possibly impacted. In relation to alcohol, the study predicted that 14-37% of children are possibly impacted by alcohol dependency in the area which equated to between 2870 and 7382 children.
Authors
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Karen Galligan
(Trinity College Dublin)
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Catherine Comiskey
(Trinity College Dublin)
Topic Area
Topics: Innovations in research methodology, education or clinical practice
Session
SU1 » Substance Use (15:00 - Wednesday, 9th November, Seminar Room 0.55)
Presentation Files
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