Citation

Semple SJ, Strathdee SA, Zians J, Patterson TL. J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs 2011; 72(6): 954-964.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry (0680), University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0680.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Alcohol Research Documentation, Inc., Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

22051209

PMCID

PMC3211966

Abstract

Objective: The methamphetamine epidemic in the United States involves a large number of men and women with dependent-age children. However, we know little about the parenting strains experienced by methamphetamine-using mothers and fathers and the relationship of these parenting strains to mental health outcomes, specifically depressive symptoms. Method: The primary goal of this study was to examine five dimensions of parental role strain in relation to depressive symptoms in a sample of 180 methamphetamine-using parents of dependent-age children in San Diego, CA. Dimensions of parental role strain included child emotional and behavioral problems, child physical health problems, child-related financial strain, interpersonal conflict involving children, and intrapsychic strain related to children. Results: Methamphetamineusing mothers reported significantly more child-related emotional and behavioral problems compared with methamphetamine-using fathers (7.9 vs. 6.8; t = 2.5, p < .05). In multiple regression analysis, higher Beck depression scores were associated with being a mother (β = .186, p < .05), having more children younger than 18 years old (β = .165, p < .05), less emotional support (β = -.230, p < .01), and higher scores on intrapsychic parental role strain related to children (β = .288, p < .01). Conclusions: These findings suggest the importance of considering the multidimensional nature of parenting strain in the development of drug treatment and counseling programs for methamphetamine-using parents. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 72, 954-964, 2011).

Language: en