How drugs affect mental health, domestic violence?

 

Substance misuse, mental health problems and

domestic violence are commonly associated with

child protection involvement and are described as

"key risk factors" for child abuse and neglect. There

is substantial research documenting the association

between these parental problems and poor outcomes

for children. Children are particularly vulnerable to

cumulative harm in families with multiple and

complex problems in which the unremitting daily

impact of multiple adverse circumstance and events

has a profound and exponential impact on children,

and diminishes their sense of safety and wellbeing

The focus of this section is to identify the adverse

effects of parental mental health problems, substance

misuse and domestic violence on individuals, their

parenting behaviours and the consequent immediate

risks to children.

It is important to note that the severity and longevity

of the effects of parental substance misuse, mental

health problems and domestic violence on children

depend upon the nature, extent and severity of the

problem and manner in which it affects the

individual. Not all children whose parents

experience mental health problems, substance

misuse or domestic violence will experience poor

outcomes.

. The extent to which parenting capacity is sustained

or diminished and children are at risk of abuse or

neglect is also influenced by the presence of

protective factors. Responses within families are

diverse; some children are able to experience

supportive and nurturing environments despite the

presence of parental problems. This section draws on

research about mental health problems, substance

misuse and domestic violence to unpack how these

problems can affect individuals, their capacity to

parent and, in turn, their child's risk of experiencing

abuse or neglect.