Boutsiarakos Thalis^{1, 2}, Yotsidi Vasiliki¹, Tzavellas Elias³, Dritsas Ioannis⁴

¹ Department of Psychology, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences

² Therapeutic Staff at Therapy Center for Dependent Individuals (KETHEA), Athens, Greece

³ Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

⁴ Department of Educational Sciences and Social Work, University of Patras

 

The following research work was presented as a poster at the 14th EUSPR Conference, which took place in Sarajevo in 2023.

Addressing the experience of parental addiction either before the onset or at an early stage of risky behaviors through age-appropriate and evidence-based preventive interventions is crucial. Emerging Adults with Addicted Parents (EMADAP) constitute a vulnerable group at risk of mental health issues, substance use problems, and psychosocial difficulties during late adolescence and emerging adulthood. Studies indicate that approximately 33% to 40% of youth with a substance-dependent parent are likely to develop similar addictive substance use behaviors themselves. In Greece, over 30% of adolescents and young adults who experiment with psychoactive substances come from families with permissive attitudes towards drugs and parental substance use. This presentation will describe the study protocol of the first needs assessment study of EMADAP to address the psychosocial needs and mental health protective factors of this high-risk group with the aim to promote selective prevention for this youth population. The study utilizes mixed research methods involving the collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data in consecutive phases.

The methods employed will include surveys and semi-structured interviews with young adults from the target population as well as mental health professionals. The methodology includes stratified sampling based on the type of addiction by the parents of the emerging adults (i.e., drugs, alcohol, or gambling). The results will be evaluated using descriptive and inferential statistics, and interpretative phenomenological analysis. The findings of this needs assessment study seek to provide a consolidated knowledge base on EMADAP’s needs and resources to develop future selective prevention strategies. By shedding light both on the psychosocial needs and protective factors, the EMADAP study aims at promoting youth health and well-being in environments affected by addiction.

For further inquiries, discussions, or collaborations related to the study, please feel free to reach out Thalis Boutsiarakos (PhDc): th.boutsiarakos[at]panteion.gr and/or Vasiliki Yotsidi (Assistant Professor): v.yiotsidi[at]panteion.gr

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