Abstract
Research aims and objectives: The aim is to identify interventions which can support those affected by alcohol harm to others independent of the person consuming alcohol and describe the nature of the intervention, what outcomes are measured, and any indicator of effectiveness.
Theoretical background: Over 100 million individuals worldwide experience negative health and social outcomes as a function of a family member's substance use. Other reviews have summarised evidence on interventions, however, the individual causing the harm to others is often implicated in intervention design. As this drinker may not be willing or able to change, this leaves people who are experiencing secondary harm with few directions for help and support in their own right.
Method adopted: A systematic review/narrative synthesis of articles from 12 databases, in English, with no date restrictions. The review was pre-registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021203204). Psychosocial interventions should be designed to support the adult affected other independent of the drinker. All quantitative studies evaluating interventions were included.
Results obtained: Those experiencing the harm were spouses/partners, or adult children/students who have parents with alcohol problems. Studies (n=7) are from the UK, USA, Korea, Sweden, Mexico, and India. Most participants were female (71-100%). Interventions varied from guided imagery, cognitive-behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, and anger management. Independent interventions may support those affected by another's alcohol use, although there was considerable variation in outcomes targeted by the intervention design.
Conclusions: It appears possible to use brief interventions to alleviate suffering from alcohol's harm to others, independent of the drinking family member. Evidence is from small-scale studies and the lack of studies leaves many experiencing harm from others' alcohol with few options for support, where they are in control and able to help themselves.
Theoretical background: Over 100 million individuals worldwide experience negative health and social outcomes as a function of a family member's substance use. Other reviews have summarised evidence on interventions, however, the individual causing the harm to others is often implicated in intervention design. As this drinker may not be willing or able to change, this leaves people who are experiencing secondary harm with few directions for help and support in their own right.
Method adopted: A systematic review/narrative synthesis of articles from 12 databases, in English, with no date restrictions. The review was pre-registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021203204). Psychosocial interventions should be designed to support the adult affected other independent of the drinker. All quantitative studies evaluating interventions were included.
Results obtained: Those experiencing the harm were spouses/partners, or adult children/students who have parents with alcohol problems. Studies (n=7) are from the UK, USA, Korea, Sweden, Mexico, and India. Most participants were female (71-100%). Interventions varied from guided imagery, cognitive-behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, and anger management. Independent interventions may support those affected by another's alcohol use, although there was considerable variation in outcomes targeted by the intervention design.
Conclusions: It appears possible to use brief interventions to alleviate suffering from alcohol's harm to others, independent of the drinking family member. Evidence is from small-scale studies and the lack of studies leaves many experiencing harm from others' alcohol with few options for support, where they are in control and able to help themselves.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 1394 |
| Pages (from-to) | 436-437 |
| Journal | European Journal of Psychology Open |
| Volume | 82 |
| Issue number | S1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 01 Oct 2023 |
Keywords
- harm to others
- alcohol
- hazardous drinking
- addiction
- interventions
- systematic review
Access to Document
- Psychosocial interventions to support those harmed by other's alcohol drinking independent of the drinker: a systematic review
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