Family as a risk and protective factor in the psychosocial development of children from families with addiction-related problems

Aims of the study: The purpose of the research was to investigate subjective insight into the experiences of children in families with addiction problems, and to consider risk or protection factors that affect their psychosocial development. Subjects and Methods: We used a qualitative approach and carried out semi-structured interviews with 26 children aged 8 to 14 from families in which one or both parents struggled with addiction issues. More than half of the interviewees were girls (57,69 %). Almost half of the children (47,06 %) reported on their experience of the father's addiction, 38,24 % of the mother's addiction, and less than 3 % talked about the addiction issues of their stepfathers, brothers or grandparents. To analyze the data, we used open two-level coding, text marking and forming categories.

The main research, in which we answer two research questions: whether family is a risk factor in the psychosocial development of children in families with addiction issues, and whether family is a protective factor in the psychosocial development of children in families with addiction issues.

Conclusion: Based on the children's statements in the research, it can be seen that for them the family is a risk factor in several areas and manifests itself in family secrets, taking on the roles of adults, negative parenting and health problems in the parents. However, we also confirmed the protective factors: secure attachment, strengthening of resilience, sources of strength that help children deal with situations and new challenges on a daily basis, and yes, the involvement of parents in various help programs for addiction problems affects the positive trend of changes in the experiences of children.

Keywords: factors of risk, factors of protection, addiction, family, children, psychosocial development