When a house is never a home: Housing instability among youth affected by parental drug abuse

A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies Exploring Lived Experiences, Perceived Impact, and Coping Strategies of Children and Young People Whose Parents Use Substances

“…Hill, 2015; M. Hill et al, 1996; Holmila et al, 2011; Houmøller et al, 2011; Johnson, 2013; Lewis et al, 2021; McGuire, 2002; McLaughlin et al, 2015; Mudau, 2018; Nattala et al, 2020; O’Connor et al, 2014; Offiong et al, 2020). However, these forms of informal support were not always accessible, long-lasting, or safe, as some of these relationships were seen as inducing further risk to the young person, especially friends who encouraged substance use and offending behaviors (Backett-Milburn et al, 2008; Bancroft et al, 2004; McGuire, 2002; Ronel & Haimoff-Ayali, 2010; Ronel & Levy-Cahana, 2011; Tamutienė & Jogaitė, 2019; Wilson et al, 2008).…”

“…However, problems tended to arise at secondary school where it became a place to worry about home, often leading to young people skipping school (Backett-Milburn et al, 2008; Barnard & Barlow, 2003; Dundas, 2000; Hagström & Forinder, 2019; L. Hill, 2015; Lewis et al, 2021; Moore et al, 2010; Nattala et al, 2020; O’Connor et al, 2014; Turning Point, 2006) or struggling to keep up with their schoolwork (Holmila et al, 2011; Moore et al, 2010; Mudau, 2018; Nattala et al, 2020; Park & Schepp, 2017; Templeton et al, 2009; Turning Point, 2006). Achieving and doing well at school was viewed as a useful strategy to lead a successful life (Ahuja et al, 2003; Bancroft et al, 2004; Bickelhaupt et al, 2021; D’Costa & Lavalekar, 2021; Hagström & Forinder, 2019; M.…”

“…Where reported, there were 417 female and 250 male participants. Two studies (four papers) explored Black African and American young people’s experiences ( Johnson, 2013 ; Lewis et al, 2021 ; Offiong et al, 2020 ; Powell et al, 2021 ), while Ahuja et al (2003) explored Sikh daughters’ perspectives. Ten studies (11 papers) reported that all young people were living with the parent who uses substances at the time of data collection ( Ahuja et al, 2003 ; D’Costa & Lavalekar, 2021 ; Dundas, 2000 ; M. Hill et al, 1996 ; Johnson, 2013 ; Mudau, 2018 ; Ramírez Dávila et al, 2014 ; Reupert et al, 2012 ; Templeton et al, 2009 ; Tinnfält et al, 2018 ; Velleman et al, 2008 ).…”

“…Four studies (six papers) reported on parental drug use only ( Barnard & Barlow, 2003 ; Lewis et al, 2021 ; McGuire, 2002 ; Offiong et al, 2020 ; Powell et al, 2021 ; Yusay & Canoy, 2019 ). Ten studies (nineteen papers) focused on parental alcohol and/or drug use ( Alexanderson & Näsman, 2017 ; Backett-Milburn et al, 2008 ; Bancroft et al, 2004 ; Bernays & Houmøller, 2011 ; Houmøller et al, 2011 ; Johnson, 2013 ; Moore et al, 2010 , 2011 ; O’Connor et al, 2014 ; Reupert et al, 2012 ; Ronel & Haimoff-Ayali, 2010 ; Ronel & Levy-Cahana, 2011 ; Templeton et al, 2009 ; Velleman et al, 2008 ; Wangensteen et al, 2019 , 2020 ; Wangensteen & Westby, 2019 ; Wilson et al, 2008 , 2012 ).…”

“…A further common theme within the literature was the caring responsibilities that children and young people had taken on for other members of their family, which felt unpredictable when parents stopped use and took back the parental role from children ( Ahuja et al, 2003 ; Backett-Milburn et al, 2008 ; Bancroft et al, 2004 ; Bernays & Houmøller, 2011 ; D’Costa & Lavalekar, 2021 ; Fraser et al, 2009 ; Hagström & Forinder, 2019 ; M. Hill et al, 1996 ; Holmila, Itäpuisto, & Ilva, 2011 ; Houmøller et al, 2011 ; Johnson, 2013 ; Lewis et al, 2021 ; McGuire, 2002 ; McLaughlin et al, 2015 ; Moore et al, 2010 , 2011 ; Murray, 1998 ; Nattala et al, 2020 ; O’Connor et al, 2014 ; Offiong et al, 2020 ; Park et al, 2016 ; Ramírez Dávila et al, 2014 ; Reupert et al, 2012 ; Ronel & Haimoff-Ayali, 2010 ; Ronel & Levy-Cahana, 2011 ; Templeton et al, 2009 ; Turning Point, 2006 ). These relationships often resulted in the blurring of roles between being a child, sister, or brother and being a parent to siblings or parents.…”