Exploring the Experiences of Adults Who Have Been Exposed to Problematic Parental Substance Use During Childhood.

Addiction, whether to substances or behaviours such as gambling, is a complex and often chronic condition that can profoundly affect not only the individual but also those around them, particularly children. When addiction occurs within a caregiving role, its impact can ripple across generations. Parental substance use (PSU) and problem gambling (PG) represent two distinct but related forms of addiction, often characterised by cycles of compulsion, impaired functioning, and emotional unavailability. These patterns often create environments marked by instability, neglect, and unmet emotional and physical needs. Children and adult children of parents with addiction difficulties commonly experience long-term psychological consequences, including trauma, role reversal, relationship difficulties, and increased vulnerability to addiction themselves. While PSU has been well documented, little research has explored adult children’s experiences retrospectively, similarly, research into the impact of parental PG on children remains limited. This thesis aims to gain insights into how best to support those impacted by addiction and contribute to the growing evidence base.

Paper one is a literature review on the experiences of children and adult children of parents with PG. Drawing on eight studies, it highlights the significant emotional, psychological, and relational harm experienced by this often-overlooked group. Parental PG was associated with emotional neglect, poor supervision, and financial instability. These experiences can contribute to enduring distress and challenges into adulthood, including difficulties in relationships, continued financial responsibility for parents, and, for some, an increased risk of developing gambling problems themselves. While the impacts were largely negative, variation in outcomes suggest the presence of moderating factors warrant further investigation. Given the high prevalence of PG among parents, these findings underline the urgent need for greater attention, support, and targeted interventions for affected children.

Paper two is an empirical paper which explores the lived experiences of adults exposed to problematic PSU in childhood. Eight participants engaged in semi-structured interviews, which were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four Group Experiential Themes were identified: 1) “I Was the Parent”- Parentification, 2) I Saw Too Much Too Soon: Early Exposure and Its Impact, 3) When Normal Isn’t Normal, and 4) Breaking the Silence, Breaking the Cycle. This empirical study highlights the need for trauma-informed, developmentally attuned psychological support that recognises hidden caregiving roles, intergenerational harm, and adaptive coping. The study contributes to clinical understanding and efforts to break stigma through the amplification of adult children’s voices.

The final paper in this thesis is an executive summary that provides an accessible overview of the completed empirical paper, written in a style intended for a wider, interdisciplinary audience.