The intergenerational cycle of substance use and its association with child maltreatment and school maladjustment: A...

Although the intergenerational transmission of substance use and trauma is well-documented, the full pathways linking substance use, child maltreatment, and school maladjustment remain underexamined across three generations. This study aims to examine the pathway from maternal grandparents' substance use to youth substance use and school maladjustment through biological mother's alcohol use and child maltreatment behaviors.

Utilizing multiple waves from the Future of Families & Child Wellbeing, the study sample included 2198 biological mothers (M = 40.67) and their children (M = 15.50).

This study analyzed the pathways connecting maternal grandparents' substance use history to youth school maladjustment, using biological mother's alcohol use, child maltreatment, and youth substance use as mediators. Three separate models were tested for each maltreatment type: psychological aggression, physical abuse, and neglect.

Across the three maltreatment models, six statistically significant positive direct paths were identified, with one non-significant direct path from the maternal grandparents' substance use to youth substance use. The mediation effects of maternal alcohol use, child maltreatment, and youth substance use were significant in all models.

Social work practitioners may use these findings to employ trauma-informed practice in early childhood interventions, with a special focus on the prevention of multi-generational substance use and child maltreatment. In particular, local child welfare agencies could strengthen collaboration with community partners, as well as with the school system, to provide evidence-based programs for both caregivers and youth.