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A Qualitative Study of caregiver’s Perceptions and Needs Around Adolescent Substance Use and Other Risk Behaviours

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Abstract

Substance use among adolescents is prevalent in the Western Cape, South Africa. Caregivers may be concerned about adolescent substance use, which may have a negative impact on both parties. We conducted a qualitative study consisting of three focus groups with caregivers (n = 21) in order to explore their perceptions of their child’s substance use, psychosocial support that they may require, as well as barriers to accessing services. Data were analysed using framework analysis, and three themes emerged: caregivers’ perceived capacity needed to assist adolescents with substance use and other problems, impact of adolescent substance use on caregiver well-being and the need for services for adolescent substance use problems. Findings indicated that study participants needed information and skills to deal with the physical and emotional consequences of adolescent substance use and to be empowered. This study suggests that future interventions for adolescent substance use may benefit from an accessible, family-based approach.

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Funding

The research leading to these results has received funding from the National Research Foundation (CSUR160412161974- 105919).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zyl Drive, 7505, Tygerberg, South Africa

    Tara Carney & Bronwyn Myers

  2. Division of Addiction Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, 7925, South Africa

    Tara Carney & Bronwyn Myers

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa

    Vimbayinashe Chibambo & Catherine Ward

Authors
  1. Tara Carney
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  2. Vimbayinashe Chibambo
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Correspondence to Tara Carney.

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All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000 (5). Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study.

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Appendix 1. Focus Group interview guide with Parents/Main Caregiver

Appendix 1. Focus Group interview guide with Parents/Main Caregiver

Thank you for coming today. We really appreciate you being here. Today we want to hear from you about what things are like for parents of adolescents who use alcohol and/or drugs in your community. Please do not feel pressured to provide a specific answer because there are no right or wrong responses. The questions are here to help us better understand the beliefs and experiences held within this community. Remember you do not have to speak about your own experiences, but generally. We will however, ask everyone to keep what is said in the group confidential. Does anyone have any questions before we begin?

  1. 1.

    What concerns do you think parents in communities like this have about alcohol and drugs affecting their children?

    1. a.

      Probe: How does it affect their behaviour?

    2. b.

      How does it affect their performance at school?

    3. c.

      To what extent do you think parents know whether their children are using Alcohol or drugs or acting in other ways (e.g. fighting) that could get them into trouble?

  1. 2.

    How do you think parents find out that their children are using alcohol or drugs?

    1. a.

      Probe: Tell me about some of the changes in behaviour that may occur?

    2. b.

      What role do other people have in letting parents know about their children’s possible alcohol or drug use?

  1. 3.

    What kind of problems do parents in this community have with children using alcohol and substances?

    1. a.

      Probe: What kind of changes do you think may happen in parent-child relationships?

  1. 4.

    What other factors make parenting hard for parents in this community?

  2. 5.

    How do you think parents usually respond to their adolescents when they find out that they are using alcohol or drugs?

  1. 6.

    What do you think parents can do to stop their children from using alcohol and drugs?

  1. 7.

    Let’s talk about parents having discussions about alcohol and drug use, and other problem behaviours (like skipping school, fighting etc) with their children?

    1. a.

      How often do you talk to your children about these issues?

    2. b.

      What are some of their responses to these issues?

    3. c.

      What are some of the challenges that you have experienced in speaking to your children about these issues?

  2. 8.

    Do you think parents themselves can help their children who are using alcohol or drugs? If so how?

  3. 9.

    What help is available to families in your communities with these problems?

    1. a.

      Prompt: for the adolescent, for the parent

    2. b.

      Are these services useful? (Why/why not)

    3. c.

      Do people use these services (Why/why not)

    4. d.

      What other services/kinds of help would be useful in this community and why

  1. 10.

    What do you think parents whose adolescents are using drugs or alcohol need?

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Carney, T., Chibambo, V., Ward, C. et al. A Qualitative Study of caregiver’s Perceptions and Needs Around Adolescent Substance Use and Other Risk Behaviours. Int J Ment Health Addiction 19, 1485–1496 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00238-8

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