Child Welfare - Substance Abuse Services for Parents of Children in Foster Care

Abstract

Child psychology as a developmental science not only seen as a developmental phenomenon but also provides remedial treatments regarding social, emotional and learning problems of children. This paper aims to focus the most important issue of best practices of substance abuse and its services for parents of children in foster care. In addition, the paper also discusses the issues of child psychology and role of child-parent relationship in the context of substance abuse.

Table of Contents

Abstract2

Introduction4

Discussion5

Substance Abuse Services6

Counseling6

Role of Community7

Role of family7

Role of School8

Clinical Treatment8

Conclusion8

References10

Child Welfare - Substance Abuse Services for Parents of Children in Foster Care

Introduction

A child's mind is a very delicate piece of space which is filled with knowledge. Every child is born with some knowledge which is genetically inherited from its Biological parents, but in the next couple of years early childhood experiences play a crucial in the growth and development of the child (Campbell, 2002). Child psychology is a dynamic and comparative study of children's psychological and behavioral changes from birth till adolescence (Parke & Gauvain, 2008). It not only deals with how children grow physically, but it also deals with their mental, social and emotional development. The problem of Substance abuse appears to be a deep concern of parents in United States in relation to developmental phenomenon of their child (Segal, et al., 2002).

In fact, Substance abuse has become an alarming problem among adolescents. The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders generally defines substance abuse as any substance use that is associated with persistent interpersonal, legal, occupational or educational problems. The most common substances used by adolescents are Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin, LSD, Ecstasy, and Amphetamine have been the illicit drug most related to substance use problems. High School students' use of substances is also a problem, especially during the first two years of their college careers (Williams & Clark, 1998).

It is important to understand the influence of parents on the life of their child and the influence of child on the life his or her parents. Relationships between parents and their children become a headache for both parties (Parke & Gauvain, 2008). It's a real generational conflict, leadership that takes place between these two entities of the same family. The parents believe they have the knowledge, experience necessary to educate their children impose their views. This is still, not to the liking of children who find their overwhelmed parents, far from the realities of the moment. As child psychology is more related to child development and behavior of child therefore, Psychologists have tried to search for empirical relationships in the field of child development and child behavior in relation to substance abuse (Parke & Gauvain, 2008).

Discussion

In the light of the literature review being done on this topic area, the researcher found out that many researchers have already done examination of alcohol and drug use among teenage students focusing primarily on prevalence rates of drinking and drug abuse behaviors and also attitudes to it ...