Comparison of emotional-behavioural and functional states of children aged 6–16 years old with addicted and non-addicted parents in Qom

Abstract

Context: The addiction problem negatively affects the addicted person's mental health and his/her family. Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the emotional-behavioural and functional states of children aged 6–16 years old with addicted and non-addicted parents. Settings and Design: In this case–control study, using convenience sampling method, a total of 50 addicted parents with children aged 6–16 years old were selected from among people in addiction treatment centres in Qom; in addition, using simple random sampling, 50 non-addicted parents with children aged 6–16 years old were selected as the control group. Subjects and Methods: Data were collected using two questionnaires, including standard Child Behaviour Checklist questionnaire and Children's Global Assessment Scale questionnaire. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analysed by SPSS version 20 using Chi-square, independent t-test and ANOVA. Results: There was a significant difference between children with addicted and healthy parents in terms of functional disorders (P < 0.001), as a higher percentage of children with addicted parents (as compared with those with healthy parents) had a functional disorder. Different types of behavioural disorders, except for physical problems, were significantly more prevalent in children with addicted parents than in children with healthy parents (P < 0.05). Internalisation and extrapolation of problems were more prevalent in children with addicted parents than in children with healthy parents (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results, children with addicted parents have undesirable emotional, behavioural and functional states. This suggests that the parents' addiction has a great impact on the health of the family, including children.

Keywords

• Addiction
• children
• emotional and behavioural states
• parents