Impact on Self-Concept of Adolescents of Substance Using Parents: A Review

Adolescence is the period of stress and storm. Adolescents have to adjust to their changes in personality on one hand and the changing socio-psychological environment on the other hand. Nearly 20% of Indian population is adolescent with 1.2 billion adolescent populations in the world. The children‘s physical and emotional needs often take a back seat to their parents‘ activities related to obtaining, using, or recovering from the use of drugs and alcohol. Current research findings suggest that these children are at risk for a range of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral problems. Parental substance use could further compound and create a not so conducive domestic environment significantly impacting the self-concept, adjustment and personality of the adolescent as he tries to come to grips with this tumultuous phase in his developmental career. Low self-esteem and self-concept is common among children with parental substance use. When caregivers take out their frustration on their children regularly, the children internalize this criticism as a truth rather than a symptom of substance use. They grow up believing in this feedback, and ultimately accept it as their own self-concept. Support from parents and peers are particularly important to adolescent‘s self-concept. When children are young, parental approval is more predictive of self-concept than approval from peers. Health care professionals can make a significant difference in the lives of children and adolescents living in families affected by substance use disorders. Although there are many emotional, behavioral, and physical consequences as a result of their parent‘s substance use, there is help through treatment, intervention strategies, and professional support.