TUBA

Effects of in-person therapy on children growing up in families with an alcohol abuse problem – an experimental approach (joint with Morten Hesse, Marianne Simonsen, and Kristine Rømer Thomsen)

Funded by TrygFonden, Det Obelske FamilieFond, Lundbeck Fonden, and Novo Nordisk Fonden, 2018-2023

Project description

In Denmark, alcohol and drug abuse problems are widespread issues and, as a consequence, a large number of individuals are growing up or have grown up in families in which such problems exist or existed. For instance, an estimated 632,000 people are growing up or have grown up in families with alcohol problems (Kristiansen et al., 2008), with serious consequences for their present and future lives. Unfortunately, there is still little robust evidence showing the causal impact of interventions designed to help individuals growing up or who have grown up in an environment characterized by a substance abuse problem.

The objectives of this project are manifold: 1) to measure the impact of a therapy-based intervention targeting individuals who have grown up in such an environment and are seeking help; 2) to document the indirect effects that such an intervention may have on the family members of the recipients; and 3) to investigate the potentially harmful consequences of the long waiting time that individuals often face (as is the case in Denmark) before they can begin such an intervention.

One year into the project, we collected information to measure the short-term impact of the intervention on respondents' psychological health (attrition is only 4.5%). 

Conclusions can be found in this intermediate report.