Psychosocial Interventions to Improve Psychological, Social and Physical Wellbeing in Family Members Affected by an Adult Relative’s Substance Use: A Systematic Search and Review of the Evidence

Ruth McGovern, Debbie Smart, Hayley Alderson, Vera Araújo-Soares, Jamie Brown, Penny Buykx, Vivienne Evans, Kate Fleming, Matt Hickman, John Macleod, Petra Meier and Eileen Kaner
Additional contact information
Ruth McGovern: Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AX, UK
Debbie Smart: Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AX, UK
Hayley Alderson: Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AX, UK
Vera Araújo-Soares: Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Science, University of Twente, 7522 Enschede, The Netherlands
Jamie Brown: Institute of Epidemiology & Health, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
Penny Buykx: School of Humanities and Social Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, Australia
Vivienne Evans: Adfam, 120 Cromer Street, London WC1H 8BS, UK
Kate Fleming: Public Health Policy and Systems, Liverpool Centre for Addiction Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK
Matt Hickman: Population Health Sciences Institute, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK
John Macleod: Population Health Sciences Institute, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK
Petra Meier: Institute of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
Eileen Kaner: Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AX, UK

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-24

Abstract: It is estimated that over 100 million people worldwide are affected by the substance use of a close relative and often experience related adverse health and social outcomes. There is a growing body of literature evaluating psychosocial interventions intended to reduce these adverse outcomes. We searched the international literature, using rigorous systematic methods to search and review the evidence for effective interventions to improve the wellbeing of family members affected by the substance use of an adult relative. We synthesised the evidence narratively by intervention type, in line with the systematic search and review approach. Sixty-five papers (from 58 unique trials) meeting our inclusion criteria were identified. Behavioural interventions delivered conjointly with the substance user and the affected family members were found to be effective in improving the social wellbeing of family members (reducing intimate partner violence, enhancing relationship satisfaction and stability and family functioning). Affected adult family members may derive psychological benefit from an adjacent individually focused therapeutic intervention component. No interventions fully addressed the complex multidimensional adversities experienced by many families affected by substance use. Further research is needed to determine the effect of a multi-component psychosocial intervention, which seeks to support both the substance user and the affected family member.

Keywords: substance use; family; affected other; psychosocial intervention; systematic review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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