Children's Needs – Parenting Capacity - Digital Education Resource ...

7ConclusionsMental health problems, learning disability, substance misuse and domestic violenceare problems that may affect any one of us. This overview suggests that 16.6% ofadults experience some form of mental disorder in any one week, approximately 2%of the adult population has a learning disability, 7% of men and 5% of women arehigher risk drinkers, and 3.7% of the population are drug dependent. One in fourwomen is subjected to domestic violence at some point in their lives.Sadly, these issues do not generally exist in isolation and many with mentaldisorders also report alcohol or drug problems. Similarly, the majority of thosewith chronic alcohol or drug problems suffer poor mental health, as do some 40%of adults with a learning disability. Moreover, half of the perpetrators of domesticviolence have a history of problem alcohol use. A single disorder can negativelyaffect parents’ capacity to meet their children’s needs, but the co-existence of thesetypes of problems has a much greater impact on parenting capacity.The impact may leave parents with a sense of apathy, blunted emotions and lowself-esteem. The ability to control emotions may also be affected, leading to extrememood swings, unpredictable violence and irritability, unresponsiveness and anger.These are all factors that affect the parent–child relationship and particularly theattachment process. Parents may also experience difficulty in organising their livesand fail to sustain family rituals and routines – events key to cementing familyrelationships. Feelings of depression and despair and the effects of alcohol or drugsmay result in parents neglecting their own and their children’s physical needs. Whenproblems become extreme, hospitalisation, imprisonment or residential treatmentwill also interrupt the parenting process.The impact on children may be exacerbated through the social consequences ofparental problems. Children’s welfare may be compromised because too much familyincome is used to satisfy parental needs and the home and possessions damaged asa result of violent outbursts. Obtaining and sustaining a job can be difficult, and asa result parents may turn to criminal activities such as drug dealing or prostitutionto obtain the necessary income. Such activities can expose children to unsafe adultsand a criminal lifestyle.The negative consequences for children of parental mental illness, learningdisability, substance misuse and domestic violence are not a foregone conclusion.A detailed exploration of the impact of parental problems on children’s healthand development at different stages of life highlights the importance of looking atchildren, parents and other key family members as individuals. The short- and longtermconsequences for children of growing up in a family where at least one parentis experiencing extreme difficulties will depend on the combination of resilience