Programmes for the children of illicit drug-using parents: issues and dilemmas

Playgroups offering health and well-being support for families: a systematic review

This systematic review explores the health and well-being outcomes that families experience as a result of their participation in playgroups that provide health and well-being services. A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature resulted in 12 articles for inclusion. A meta-synthesis method, using reciprocal translation, was implemented to synthesize findings. Findings suggest that programs support children's social development, transition to school, and overall health. For parents, programs provide targeted social and health support, and knowledge sharing and learning opportunities. Future research in this area will benefit from participatory research approaches and exploring how universal approaches to program provision benefit families.

Family interventions in the treatment of alcohol and drug problems

Alcohol and drug problems affect not only those using these substances but also family members of the substance user. In this review evidence of the negative impacts substance misuse may have upon families are examined, following which family-focused interventions are reviewed. Several family-focused interventions have been developed. They can be broadly grouped into three types: (1) working with family members to promote the entry and engagement of substance misusers into treatment; (2) joint involvement of family members and substance misusing relatives in the treatment of the latter; and (3) interventions responding to the needs of the family members in their own right. The evidence base for each of the three types is reviewed. Despite methodological weaknesses in this area, a number of conclusions can be advanced that support wider use of family focused interventions in routine practice. Future research needs to focus on (1) pragmatic trials that are more representative of routine clinical settings; (2) cost-effectiveness analyses, in terms of treatment costs and the impact of interventions on costs to society; (3) explore treatment process; and (4) make use of qualitative methods. In addition, there is a need to define more clearly the conceptual underpinnings of the family intervention under study.

The role of the family in preventing and intervening with substance use and misuse: a comprehensive review of family interventions, with a focus on young people

The family plays a key part in both preventing and intervening with substance use and misuse, both through inducing risk, and/or encouraging and promoting protection and resilience. This review examines a number of family processes and structures that have been associated with young people commencing substance use and later misuse, and concludes that there is significant evidence for family involvement in young people's taking up, and later misusing, substances. Given this family involvement, the review explores and appraises interventions aimed at using the family to prevent substance use and misuse amongst young people. The review concludes that there is a dearth of methodologically highly sound research in this area, but the research that has been conducted does suggest strongly that the family can have a central role in preventing substance use and later misuse amongst young people.