Experiences of parents with an adolescent abusing substances admitted to a mental health institution in Giyani, South Africa.
Evelyn N Hlungwani, Nompumelelo Ntshingila, Marie Poggenpoel and 1 others
PMID 33179948WHAT IT FOUND
Parents of adolescents admitted for substance abuse described fear that their adolescent might kill them, self-blame, shame, damaged family relationships and community stigma.
Discipline felt impossible when drugs were accessible and recreation was absent.
Key findings
01Parents feared violence from their adolescents and felt unable to control them through discipline.
02Parents described shame, helplessness, impaired family relationships and compromised health, with some relying on chronic medication.
03Parents reported negative consequences from the community, including loss of respect, humiliation and embarrassment.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only eight parents were interviewed, so the themes may not represent all parents in Giyani or elsewhere. Participants were recruited through one mental health institution and interviewed at home, so the findings are context-specific. Some parents feared to verbalise their experiences, and scheduling constraints may have limited participation. Participants were initially anxious, and audio recording added to that anxiety during interviews. The study described parents' experiences and did not test whether any intervention changes distress or family outcomes.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that parents caused the substance abuse or that these experiences apply to all parents. Eight parents were interviewed in homes in one rural area, and the study did not test any intervention.