Children of addicted parents with bio-psychosocial risk factors: do they need a special care?

Abstract

CONTEXT: Alcoholism and other drug addictions tend to run in the families. Children of addicted parents are more at risk of addiction and psychiatric disorders than other children. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the profile of children, adolescents and families in a selective prevention service offered to the children of addicted parents, and to discuss alternatives for the assessment and treatment of this population. DESIGN: cross-sectional study. SETTING: Selective prevention service implemented in downtown district of São Paulo, with 63 parents, 54 children and 45 adolescents. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Socio-demographic data, Procedimento de Desenhos de Família com Estórias - DF-E; Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI); Criteria about psychosocial stress situation in childhood; Self-Report Questionnaire SRQ-20; Family CAGE. RESULTS: Regarding to the family profile, 67% belongs to D level in socio-demographic data, with the majority of families studied having an addicted father (67%); alcohol was the most frequent substance used (75%). The SRQ-20 assessing 59% of mates, who are not addicted, with mental suffering. In children, it was observed shyness, inferiority feelings, depression, family conflict, need for warm-heartness and good level of energy that is level-headed in terms of emotional and mental areas. In adolescents, it was observed higher level of problems in DUSI areas: psychiatric disorder, social competency, family system, and leisure/recreation. CONCLUSIONS: The paper concluded the need of a specialized selective prevention service in children, adolescents and families affected by substance abuse considering that children of addicted parents are at risk of developing bio-psychosocial problems.