Association of adolescent physical and emotional health with perceived severity of parental substance abuse.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to examine the association between adolescent health, including physical complaints, mood, and social adjustment, and perceived severity of parental substance abuse.


METHODS
Baseline data from a study of school-based support groups for adolescents with substance-abusing family members (n = 121) were used to examine the relationship between the severity of substance abuse and adolescent health.


RESULTS
Participants were divided into three groups on the basis of severity of parental substance abuse. The high-severity group had significantly more medical conditions, physical symptoms, and negative moods than those in the low- or moderate-severity groups (p < .02).


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses can use the Children of Alcoholics Screening Tool to assess severity of parental substance abuse and its impact on adolescents' physical and emotional health.
Gance-Cleveland
Bonnie
B
Center for Improving Health Outcomes in Children, Teens, and Families, College of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA. bonnie.gance-cleveland@asu.edu
Mays
Mary Z
MZ
Steffen
Ann
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012917:Social Adjustment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000451:nursing; D014481:United States