Mental health of children of individuals with Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Abstract

Children and adolescents, offspring of individuals with Substance Use Disorder (SUD), are at increased risk of developing mental and behavioral disorders, which should be regarded as a relevant public health issue, since the intergenerational effects of SUD affect child development and family dynamics. This qualitative study was based on a literature review and official statistical data, which analyzed the mental illness of young people exposed to environments with substance users. The results indicate that psychosocial factors increase the vulnerability of children and adolescents to the development of mental and behavioral disorders.