The association between parental substance abuse and child maltreatment – a systematic review

Background: Prior research suggests that parental substance abuse is associated with a reduction in the ability of parents to monitor and care for their children and provide safe and nurturing homes. This systematic review addresses the link between parental alcohol and drug abuse and different forms of child maltreatment across studies.Methods: Three databases were searched to identify peer-reviewed, English language studies from 1991 to 2023. A total of 35 studies met inclusion criteria. Prevalence of each type of childhood maltreatment, parental substance abuse, sample characteristics, and methodological factors were considered for each eligible study.Results: Among parents with substance abuse problems, the estimated prevalence of neglect was 48.7% (k = 8), of physical abuse 36.1% (k = 21), of sexual abuse 10.2% (k = 12), psychological abuse 28.5% (k = 6), and of out of out-of-home placements 34.0% (k = 9). The majority of studies recorded alcohol abuse (k = 21), opioids/heroin (k = 9), marijuana (k = 8), meth-/amphetamines (k = 7), and cocaine (k = 4). History of parental substance abuse, recruitment methods, and methods of assessing childhood maltreatment were associated with substantial heterogeneity. The majority of reviewed studies indicate a positive association between parental substance abuse and child maltreatment, especially with regard to neglect and physical abuse.Conclusions: These findings support the need for adequate assessments and interventions of maltreated children, and treatment of substance abuse in parents. We discuss the importance of improved interdisciplinary collaboration and service integration between child welfare, substance abuse treatment, and family courts.