2004 Reports

Depression, Substance Abuse, and Domestic Violence: Little is Known About Co-Occurrence and Combined Effects on Low-Income Families

Lawrence, Sharmila M.; Chau, Michelle M.; Lennon, Mary Clare

Depression, substance abuse, and domestic violence are often considered individual problems but, in fact, the societal costs of these issues are great. For the adults, it is reflected in lost productivity and in high health care costs. Either alone or in combination, these risk factors not only impair the ability to work, they also affect parenting processes, which can hinder children's development. These problems increase the odds that children will enter school without the cognitive, social, and emotional skills and competencies they need to succeed, thus setting the stage for increased placement in special education, grade retention, and ultimately, school drop-out. This synthesis summarizes recent research results and finds a need for more information on two-generation approaches.