Berger, Estelle L and Y Barrett, Ann-Marie and Mendes, Simone and Oro, Veronica and Leve, Leslie D and Pfeifer, Jennifer H and Cioffi, Camille C (2026) Preventing the intergenerational transmission of substance use disorder: lessons learned from developmental science on parenting and adolescence. Substance Use: Research and Treatment, 20, 29768357261454176. https://doi.org/10.1177/29768357261454176.
External website: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/297683572...
In 2019, approximately 21 million children in the United States lived with a parent who misused substances, and over 2 million lived with a parent with a substance use disorder (SUD). While parents with SUD are often invested in preventing intergenerational transmission of substance use, there has been little research devoted to addressing this challenge particularly among parents of adolescents. In this narrative review of existing literature, we take a bioecological perspective that includes individual, interpersonal, and societal factors that offer opportunities for intervention. Specifically, we suggest that there is a need to consider key developmental tasks of adolescence-establishing a sense of autonomy, developing personal identity, and cultivating meaning and purpose-in tandem with effective parenting practices and societal considerations to prevent the intergenerational transmission of substance misuse and use disorders among adolescents when a parent has SUD. We offer specific research recommendations and strategies for leveraging impactful preventative interventions.
G Health and disease > Substance use disorder (addiction)
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Risk and protective factors
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Prevention approach > Family-focused prevention
L Social psychology and related concepts > Family > Family and kinship > Family relations > Family role > Role of parent / guardian
L Social psychology and related concepts > Family > Family and kinship > Family relations > Parent – child relations
T Demographic characteristics > Child / children
T Demographic characteristics > Adolescent / youth (teenager / young person)
T Demographic characteristics > Affected family members / concerned persons
T Demographic characteristics > Child of person who uses substances
T Demographic characteristics > Parent / guardian
VA Geographic area > International
VA Geographic area > United States
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