The Impact of Parental Alcohol Misuse on Children: A Systematic Review.

Background

Although the impact of parental alcohol misuse has been widely published in various studies, there is very little that is known about the lives and experiences of children affected by the issue from their own perspectives. Denial and secrecy are hallmarks of this issue, and children's voices too often go unheard. Moreover, most studies rely on a small homogeneous sample limiting generalisability. The perspectives of minority ethnic families and children are absent. Equally so, are gaps in studies about middle-class society who are more able to mask their issues and less frequently come under scrutiny of child protection services and don't appear in official statistics.

Objectives

This study filtered literature using a systematic review to gain an understanding of qualitative studies with children, parents, and young adults.

Results

The common themes identified were parental alcohol misuse and family disharmony, intergenerational drinking and resilience, austerity, benefits cuts, poverty and engagement challenges.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that domestic abuse was often attributed to alcohol misuse. The impact on children was negative with deeper emotional impact and family relationship damage. Equally so, parents experienced a trilogy of risks of mental health, domestic abuse and substance misuse alongside benefits cuts as contributors to alcohol misuse.