Parents with Alcohol-Related Diagnoses Significantly More Likely to Maltreat Children, New Research Shows

A comprehensive systematic review published in the journal Addiction reveals that caregivers and parents diagnosed with alcohol-related conditions are twice as prone to maltreating children compared to those without such diagnoses. The review analyzed data from twelve cohort studies conducted across high-income countries, including Australia, Denmark, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with sample sizes ranging from 501 to over 84,000 participants.

The term "alcohol-related diagnoses" encompasses instances of alcohol-related hospitalization, service utilization, or clinically recognized alcohol dependence. Child maltreatment examined in these studies covered physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse, neglect, and harsh parenting behaviors.

Findings indicated that children cared for by adults with alcohol-related diagnoses face a notably higher risk of maltreatment, with an odds ratio of 2.32 for overall maltreatment and 1.92 for recurrence, compared to their peers. Lead researcher Dr. June Leung from Massey University emphasized that this is the first systematic review exploring the link between caregiver alcohol use and all forms of child maltreatment.

The results highlight the urgent need for stronger policies and intervention strategies aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm among caregivers to protect vulnerable children. The research underscores the importance of addressing alcohol misuse as a critical factor in preventing child abuse and neglect.

This evidence reinforces the call for public health efforts focused on limiting alcohol abuse and supporting families at risk. For more detailed information, the study can be found in Addiction (2025). Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-parents-alcohol-maltreat-children.html