Talking about parental substance abuse with children: eight families' experiences of Beardslee's family intervention.

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.

Longing and fearing for dialogue with children: depressed parents' way into Beardslee's preventive family intervention.

There is a growing interest in prevention of mental disorders in children of mentally ill parents. Beardslee's preventive family intervention is a method recently introduced into Sweden. When asking parents to participate in this intervention, it has become evident how sensitive the issue of parenthood is to our patients. The study aims at exploring what depressed parents considered as obstacles and facilitating factors for accepting Beardslee's family intervention. Ten parents from two psychiatric clinics and one primary healthcare centre in northern Sweden were interviewed by semi-structured technique. Nine of these parents had accepted and participated in Beardslee's family intervention; one parent had been offered but refused participation. Data were analysed according to grounded theory. The main reason for taking part was the lack of dialogue these parents perceived with their children. There were difficulties in talking about and finding words to explain the depression. The parents were worried about their children, wishing to know how the children were actually feeling, and wanting the professionals to take a look at them. To open up was both frightening and tempting. It implied the consideration of many aspects: the right timing, shame and guilt, the partner's interest, the children's willingness and the involvement of professionals. The findings show the delicacy of the issue of children's well-being when a parent is depressed and they highlight some important topics to discuss with the parents when preventive interventions are offered.

Parenthood and opioid dependence.

INTRODUCTION: Many patients in maintenance treatment programs for opioid dependence are parents to underage children. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore how parents who are regular patients in maintenance treatment perceive their parenthood. METHODS: The study used a qualitative approach. The informants were recruited by staff at a substance abuse clinic in Sweden. Criteria for inclusion were participation in the local maintenance treatment program, having a child or children younger than 18 years, and being in contact with the child or children. Data were collected in 2012-2013 by in-depth interviews of seven fathers and five mothers and analyzed using concepts and procedures of qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The central findings of the study were: 1) the parents' concerns about possible future discrimination against their children, ie, stigma by association; and 2) the patients' own parents' role as the most important support in parenthood. CONCLUSION: The issue of anticipated discrimination against the children of parents undergoing maintenance treatment might be an aspect to consider in the development of interventions and support. Considering the role of the patients' own parents also seems important.

Initiating communication about parental mental illness in families: an issue of confidence and security.

BACKGROUND: Beardslee's family intervention (FI) is a family-based intervention to prevent psychiatric problems for children of mentally ill parents. The parents' experiences are of importance in family-based interventions. METHOD: Twenty five parents were interviewed about their experiences of FI. Data were analysed by qualitative methods. DISCUSSION: Confidence and security in the professionals and in FI as a method were prerequisites for initiating communication about the parents' mental illness with the children. CONCLUSIONS: FI provides a solid base for an alliance with the parents and might be a practicable method when parenthood and children are discussed with psychiatric patients.

Children in Beardslee's family intervention: relieved by understanding of parental mental illness.

BACKGROUND: Beardslee's family intervention (FI), which is a family-based preventive method for children of mentally ill parents, has been implemented on a national level in Sweden. MATERIAL: Fourteen children and parents from nine families were interviewed about how the FI was for the children. Data were analysed by qualitative content analysis. DISCUSSION: A central finding was children's sense of relief and release from worry because of more knowledge and openness about the parent's illness in the family. CONCLUSION: The results indicating relief for the children are encouraging.