The frequency of co-occuring disorders, childhood trauma and self-esteem in the parents of substance dependent individuals

Abstract

Background: High levels of childhood traumatic experiences and co-occuring disorders have been observed in people who are dependent on substances. In addition, many studies have shown low levels of self-esteem in substance dependent individuals. But there have not been enough studies of psychiatric disorders among the parents of substance dependent individuals. Aim: This study aims to research levels of childhood traumatic experiences, self-esteem, and co-occuring disorders in the parents of substance dependent individuals (PSD). Method: The study group was made up of 40 parents diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria as substance dependent and treated as inpatients between March 2012 and April 2013 at Balikli Rum Hospital in Istanbul substance dependency clinic . The control group consisted of 40 healthy individuals matched with the study subjects by sex and age. Additional Axis I diagnoses were identified using the DSM-IV Axis 1 Disorders Clinical Interview (SCID-I). All subjects were also administered a sociodemographic information form, a Childhood Traumatic Experiences Scale (CTES), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Beck Depression Scale and the Beck Anxiety Scale. Results: Total points on the parents of substance dependent's Childhood trauma scale scores, Physical Abuse (PA) and Sexual abuse (SA) subscales were significantly elevated. No significant difference was found between the two groups for their emotional abuse/emotional neglect (EA/EN) subscales. The total scores for the Substance Dependent Parent group were found to be significantly higher than those of the control group on the RSS, the BDI and BAI. In the SDP group 13 people (32.5%) showed affective disorders, 4 people (10%) showed generalized anxiety disorders (GAD), 5 people (12.5%) showed an alcohol or substance abuse disorder. Conclusion: The conclusions of this study are that Parents of Substance Dependent show signficant levels of childhood traumatic experiences, and Axis 1 co-occuring disorders and also show low levels of self esteem.