Talking about parental substance abuse with children: eight families’ experiences of Beardslee’s family intervention
Engelsk titel: Talking about parental substance abuse with children: eight families’ experiences of Beardslee’s family intervention
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Författare:
Pihkala, Heljä
;
Dimova-Bränström, Neda
;
Sandlund, Mikael
Email: helja.p@hotmail.com
Språk: Eng
Antal referenser: 27
Dokumenttyp:
Artikel
UI-nummer: 17080073
Sammanfattning
Background: Many children are affected by parental substance use disorder. Beardslee’s family intervention
(BFI) is a family-based psycho-educative method for children of mentally ill parents, used in psychiatric
practise in several Nordic countries. The method has also been used to some extent when a
parent suffers from substance use disorder. Aims: The aim of the study was to explore the family members’
experiences of the BFI when a parent has a diagnosis of substance use disorder, to gain new
knowledge about the process of the BFI in this area. Methods: Ten children and 14 parents were interviewed
about their experiences 6 months after a BFI. The interviews were analyzed by qualitative content
analysis. The children’s psychological symptoms were measured by the Strengths and Difficulties
Questionnaire at baseline and after 6 months. Results: Increased openness about the substance use disorder
in the families was a recurrent theme throughout the material and a central issue reported in
the children’s experiences. The children had a high level of psychological symptoms according to the
SDQ at baseline, but the majority of them felt that the BFI made a positive difference in their families
and for themselves. The parents reported improved wellbeing of their children. Conclusions and clinical
implications: Positive experienced effects for children and parents are reported in families with parental
substance use disorder, with possible connection to use of BFI. The present study suggests that
Beardslee’s family intervention is applicable as a preventive method for children in families with a parent
suffering from substance use disorder.